O you who believe , do not perform your service of prayer when you are intoxicated until you are sure of what you are saying , nor when in a state of seminal pollution , until you have taken a bath , except when you are travelling . But in case you are ill or are travelling , or you have relieved yourself of nature 's call , or cohabited with a woman , and cannot find water , then take wholesome dust and pass it over your face and hands : God is benign and forgiving .