Then the Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى support him, said: "Whoever lacks water should not perform tayammum until the time of prayer enters. Then he should search for it ahead, to his right, and to his left up to the distance of two arrow shots in each direction if the land is flat. If the terrain is rugged, he should search in every direction up to one arrow shot. If he does not find water, he should perform tayammum at the last moments of the prayer's time, when he has lost hope of finding water, and then pray with the tayammum as explained." This aligns with what has been previously mentioned, regarding the obligation of seeking water up to the extent of two arrow shots if there is no fear. If fear is present, searching is not required. This is further supported by related evidence.
Commentary #23