Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every Muslim who has attained the age of puberty."
The Obligation of Friday Bath
This hadith establishes the compulsory nature of the Friday bath (ghusl) for every adult Muslim. The phrase "compulsory" (wājib) indicates a religious obligation that carries significant weight in Islamic law, though scholars differ on whether it reaches the level of absolute obligation (farḍ) or strong recommendation (sunna mu'akkada).
Timing and Purpose
The bath should be performed after dawn and before attending the Friday prayer. Its wisdom includes physical purification for congregational prayer and spiritual preparation for the sacred gathering. The bath symbolizes both outer cleanliness and inner spiritual renewal.
Scope of the Obligation
The requirement applies to all Muslims who have reached puberty, including residents of towns where Friday prayer is established. Travelers, women, children, and the sick are exempt from this obligation, though they may still perform it voluntarily.
Scholarly Interpretation
Imam al-Bukhari included this hadith in his chapter on Friday prayer, emphasizing its importance. Classical scholars note that while the bath is strongly emphasized, missing it does not invalidate the Friday prayer itself, though one would be deficient in fulfilling the complete sunna.