Is the Hadith: "It is a duty upon every Muslim to perform ghusl every seven days, like his ghusl from janabah, washing his body and head, making that on Friday" an obligation for the ghusl of Jumu'ah, and how can it be reconciled with Hadiths that indicate it is not obligatory, such as: "Whoever performs ablution, then that is good and excellent; and whoever performs ghusl, then ghusl is better"?
Scholars differ on the ruling concerning the Friday ghusl (ritual bath). Some consider it obligatory, based on hadiths such as: "Ghusl on Friday is obligatory upon every adult (who has reached puberty)," and "Whoever among you comes to Jumu'ah (Friday prayer), let him perform ghusl." They also argue that the word "haqq" (right or duty) in the hadith of Abu Hurairah means obligation.
Others, however, view it as recommended (mustahabb), citing the hadith of Samurah: "Whoever performs ablution on Friday, that is well and good; and whoever performs ghusl, then ghusl is better." They also base their argument on their understanding of the story of 'Umar and 'Uthman on Friday, where 'Umar did not command 'Uthman to perform ghusl after he had sufficed with ablution, which indicates that the command for ghusl is for recommendation, not obligation. Ibn 'Abd al-Barr also transmitted the consensus of Muslims that the Friday ghusl is not an obligatory duty whose ترك (abandonment) incurs sin.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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