429. Is Ghusl “Mandatory” On Fridays, Even If I’M Not Going For Jumu’ah Prayers?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It is true that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam asked us to take ghusl on Fridays. 

He said:

“When any one of you goes to Jumu’ah, let him do ghusl.” (al-Bukhaari 882)

But the majority of the scholars say that these instructions are in the sense of a *recommendation* and *NOT* something *“obligatory”, even for the men.* 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever performs Wudhu on Friday, then he will receive the blessing, and whoever performs ghusl then ghusl is more virtuous." 

(at-Tirmidhi 497 saheeh by al-Albaani) 

So, although doing ghusl is “preferred”, even wudhu would be just fine. 

That shows that ghusl on Fridays is not “mandatory”.

The scholars said:

“Doing ghusl on Fridays is mustahabb, not obligatory, according to the majority of fuqaha’, although some of them were of the view that it is obligatory. 

Secondly: 

This ghusl is prescribed for those who come to Jumu‘ah prayers, whether men or women, although it is men who are addressed in the verse which tells them to attend the prayer.

But if a woman attends Jumu‘ah prayer, it is prescribed for her to do ghusl for it and observe its etiquette. “ 

(Islamqa Fatwa # 142753)

So ghusl on Friday is *Sunnah mu’akkadah* ONLY for those who are *attending the Friday prayers*. 

Imaam an-Nawawi said:

“Doing ghusl on Friday is Sunnah, not obligatory in the sense that not doing it is not a sin, and there is no difference of opinion among us concerning that. 

It is Sunnah for everyone who wants to attend Jumu‘ah, man, woman, child, traveler, slave and others, because of the apparent meaning of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar, and because the aim is cleanliness, and they are all the same with regard to that.

It is not Sunnah for the one who does not intend to attend, even if he is one of those who should attend Jumu‘ah, because of the meaning of the hadeeth and because the reason is no longer present; and because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar, 

according to which the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“Whoever comes to Jumu‘ah, man or woman, let him do ghusl, and whoever does not come to it, man or woman, does not have to do ghusl.” Narrated by al-Bayhaqi with this wording and with a saheeh isnaad.”

[al-Majmoo‘ (4/405)]

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“The Sunnah indicates that performing ghusl is specific to those who show up to the *Jumu’ah (prayer)…*

It is possible for the word 

‘al-Jumu’ah’ to take the meaning of 

A.) the prayer or 

B.) the day

However (The Prophet’s) statement, 

‘Whenever one of you *comes to the Jumu’ah*…’ (Sunan Abu Dawud) specifies that the intended meaning is the *prayer*. 

Based on this, it is not Sunnah for women (who do not attend the Jumu’ah prayer) to make the (Sunnah) ghusl. 

Likewise, it is not Sunnah for those who do not attend the Jumu’ah prayer with a legitimate excuse to make ghusl for the Jumu’ah (prayer).” 

(al-Mumti’ (5/81)

*Conclusion*

Ghusl is performed for the Jumu’ah *“prayer”* and *not* for the *“day”* of Jumu’ah. 

So it’s not mandatory for those who’re not attending the Friday prayers to take ghusl. 

Now I’m not telling you to stop taking showers on Fridays :)

If someone wants to take a bath on Friday, that’s good and there’s nothing wrong with that. 

Just keep in mind that it’s not ‘mandatory’. 

And Allaah knows best