Question

Is there any Hadith like this: Rasulullah (sallalahu’alayhi waslalam) said, “Gusul (taking bath) on Friday is compulsory upon every Muslim reaching the age of puberty.” Kindly state the Sanad or authenticity of it.

 

Answer

Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al-Khudry (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallalahu’alayhi waslalam) said:

‘To take a bath on a Friday is binding (extremely emphasised) on every mature person.’

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 879 & Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1957)

Among the various explanations given for this Hadith is the following:

– Friday is a day in which a Muslim is encouraged to clean himself. The word used in the Hadith is ‘wajib’ (binding) however, the scholars unanimously explain this to mean: very much encouraged/emphasised.

(Sharh Nawawi, Hadith: 1957)

This bath is therefore not considered as binding (wajib). It is actually classified a sunnah.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

 

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar