When is it obligatory to perform ghusl on Friday, and is it sufficient, or should one perform ghusl whenever a person smells of sweat?
The ghusl (ritual bath) for Friday prayer is recommended, and its time begins at dawn and continues until one goes for the prayer. It is not valid after the prayer. One should maintain this purity when going to the mosque so that no unpleasant odor emanates and harms people. If a person performs ghusl and then sweats, and an unpleasant odor appears, they should repeat the ghusl. This is indicated by what Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated, that people used to come for the Friday prayer from their homes and from al-Awali (a high area outside Medina) wearing cloaks, and dust would get on them, causing an odor to emanate from them. So, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If only you would purify yourselves for this day of yours." It is understood from this hadith that the purpose of ghusl is to remove unpleasant odors and prevent harm to those present, and this purpose is not achieved after the Friday prayer has been established.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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