Is Ghusl (Ritual Bath) on Friday Obligatory or Just Recommended?
- Muiz As-Siddeeqi
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Is Ghusl (Ritual Bath) on Friday Obligatory or Just Recommended?
Question to Shaykh Ibn Baaz:
Is the Friday ghusl obligatory or recommended?
Shaykh Ibn Baaz Answer:
Ghusl on Friday is a strongly emphasized Sunnah, due to the many authentic narrations reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) on this matter. Among them is his (peace be upon him) statement:
“Ghusl on the day of Jumuʿah is obligatory upon every adult (muḥtalim), and he should use the siwāk and apply perfume.”
Also, his (peace be upon him) saying:
“Whoever performs ghusl, then comes to Jumuʿah, and prays what is written for him, then listens attentively until the imam finishes his sermon and prays with him — his sins will be forgiven between that Jumuʿah and the next, and an additional three days.”
(Narrated by Muslim in his Ṣaḥīḥ)
In another wording from him (peace be upon him):
“Whoever makes wudhū’ and perfects his wudhū’, then comes to Jumuʿah, listens and remains silent — his sins will be forgiven between that Jumuʿah and the next, and an additional three days. And whoever touches the pebbles has engaged in laghw (idle action).”
There are many other hadiths on this topic.
As for his (peace be upon him) statement:
“It is obligatory upon every adult (muḥtalim)” —
most scholars interpret this to mean: strongly emphasized (mu’akkadah), not technically “obligatory (wājib).” This is like how the Arabs would say: “A promise is a debt,” or “Your right upon me is a duty.” Supporting this interpretation is the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was sometimes content with mere wudhū’ in some narrations.
Similarly, applying perfume, using the siwāk (tooth-stick), wearing clean and good clothes, and arriving early for Jumuʿah — all of these are recommended Sunnahs that are encouraged. None of them are obligatory.
Published in:
Al-Bilād Newspaper, Issue (10708), Sunday, 16/5/1413 AH
Ad-Daʿwah Magazine, Issue (1355), dated 29/2/1413 AH
– Kitāb al-Daʿwah (Fatāwā) of his eminence (Shaykh Ibn Bāz), Volume 2, Page 68
Majmūʿ Fatāwā wa-Maqālāt of Shaykh Ibn Bāz, Volume 10, Page 170
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