Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of, Allah (ﷺ) said. He who takes a bath on Friday, the bath which is obligatory after the sexual discharge and then goes (to the mosque), he is like one who offers a she-camel as a sacrifice, and he who comes at the second hour would be like one who offers a cow, and he who comes at the third hour is live one who offers a ram with horns, and he who comes at the fourth hour is like one who offers a hen, and he who comes at the fifth hour is like one who offers an egg. And when the Imam comes out, the angels are also present and listen to the mention of God (the sermon).
The Book of Prayer - Friday
Sahih Muslim 850 a - Commentary by Imam An-Nawawi
The Excellence of Friday Bath
The obligatory bath mentioned here refers to ghusl al-janabah (ritual bath after sexual impurity), indicating the highest level of purification. The Prophet ﷺ used this analogy to emphasize the importance of thorough cleansing before Friday prayer, making it a recommended sunnah (mustahabb) for all attending Muslims, even those not in state of major impurity.
The Graduated Reward System
The decreasing scale of sacrificial animals - from she-camel to egg - illustrates the diminishing reward based on arrival time. This temporal hierarchy serves as motivation for early attendance while maintaining reward for later comers. The first hour begins at dawn, with each subsequent hour representing a portion of the morning until noon.
Angelic Presence During Sermon
When the Imam ascends the pulpit, angels descend to record the congregation's presence and listen to the khutbah. This divine assembly underscores the sacred nature of the Friday sermon, where both earthly and heavenly creatures gather for remembrance of Allah. It emphasizes the importance of attentive listening and spiritual presence during the khutbah.
Juridical Implications
Scholars derive from this hadith that Friday bath is strongly recommended (sunnah mu'akkadah), early mosque attendance is virtuous, and the khutbah time commences with the Imam's appearance on the minbar. The reward comparison uses familiar sacrificial values to make spiritual concepts tangible to the companions.