Question:

Is taking a bath on Friday obligatory?

Answer:

Shaykh Al Uthaymeen said in the explanation of the hadeeth

Taking a bath on Friday is obligatory upon every adult

“That which is correct with me without a doubt in regards to it [is] that Ghusl of Jumuah Is obligatory upon every person, and I haven’t left it off ever since I learned this narration, not in the summer or winter, neither whilst it was hot, or cold,  nor if I was sick and able  of doing Ghusl with it. I say this until you know that I have no doubt in regards to its obligation”.

[Explanation of Bulughul Maram 1/ 466]

Translated by

Majeed al-Afghaani
Abu Layl

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There are three opinions regarding the ruling of ghusl on Jumu’ah, the first opinion is that it is highly recommended and it is not an obligation which is the opinion of Shaykh Bin Baaz. In fact, it is the opinion of the majority of the scholars I believe.

Ruling on Ghusl on Friday Q: Mr. `A. M. Z. From Biljurashi asks, “What about Ghusl on Friday; is it obligatory, recommendable or an act of Sunnah? Can taking a bath for Janabah (major ritual impurity) on Friday night replace the Friday bath, keeping in mind that some people say that the day begins at midnight? Moreover, if this Ghusl of Janabah does not count for Friday Ghusl, what is the appropriate time for it?”

Friday Ghusl is a stressed Sunnah for men according to the Prophet’s Saying, Performing Ghusl (washing up), using Siwak (brushing one’s teeth), and wearing perfume on Friday are compulsory on every adult. The Prophet (may Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him) also says: “When anyone of you comes to Jumu’ah (Friday) Prayer, he should take a bath.”There are many other Hadiths to the same effect.The Hadiths mentioned above do not mean that Friday Ghusl is obligatory and that whoever avoids it deserves punishment but it is a stressed act according to the above authentic Hadiths and the Prophet’s saying, “If anyone performs ablution on Friday, then goes to the Masjid (mosque), offers the Supererogatory Salah and listens (to the sermon) until the Imam finishes it, the sins which he has committed since the previous Friday plus three more days will be forgiven for him…” The Prophet (may Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him) also says: If any one of you performs ablution on Friday, that is all right; and if any of you takes a bath, that is better.

If a person takes a Janabah bath on Friday, this will be sufficient for the Friday Ghusl. It is preferable to intend performing both the Friday and Janabah baths upon taking the bath. Moreover, the time for Friday Ghusl begins at dawn and it is preferable to take the bath immediately before going to Friday Salah, as this is better with regard to activeness and cleanliness.It becomes known that the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) does not imply obligation but stresses the importance of taking a bath on Friday for this style of speaking is widely used in Arabic. In this way we can reconcile between the Hadiths narrated concerning this matter. It is worth mentioning that, in order to reconcile between contradicted Hadiths, scholars put a legal basis, which is to explain the Hadiths by other Hadiths on the same issue if their texts are different, taking into consideration that the sayings of the Prophet confirm and explain each other and similarly the Ayahs (Verses) of the Glorious Qur’an.

May Allah grant us success.

[Reference]

And the second opinion is the opinion of Ibn Abbas and Shaykhul Islam and others that it is only compulsory in a state of bad odour.

And the third opinion is the opinion of it being mandatory and necessary.

As for Ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen, then I believe he only had one opinion in this matter which was the obligation.

Ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen, rahimahullah, said:

وأما الاغتسال للجمعة قبلها بيوم أو يومين فلا ينفع؛ لأن الأحاديث الواردة في ذلك تخصه بيوم الجمعة

“As for taking a bath on behalf of Jumu’ah a day before or after, then there is no benefit since the reported narrations specifically state the day of Jumu’ah… ”

[Majmoo’ul Fataawa of al-Uthaymeen The Sixteen Volume].

Allah knows best.

Translated and Answered by

AbdulFattaah bin Uthman
Abu Fajr