The Ghusl on The Day of Jumua’ah

Sheikh Bin Baaz was asked;

Is the ghusl on the day of Jumua’ah an obligation on us or is it just something that is recommended that we do? If the person makes ghusl from sexual impurities the night of Jumua’ah, does that suffice as his ghusl for Jumua’ah? Understanding that there are some people that say, “The day begins at midnight”, so if the ghusl is not accepted if we pray it at that time, then when is it an acceptable time to make it?

 

The Sheikh Replied;

The ghusl is something that is highly recommended for the men. This is because of the statement of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) when he said, “The ghusl on the day of Jumua’ah is waajib on everyone that has reached puberty, as well as to use the miswaak and perfume.” He (صلى الله عليه و سلم) also said, “The one that goes to the Jumua’ah Prayer, then he is to make a ghusl.” There are a lot of other hadeeth with this same meaning. We need to mention here that the word waajib in the first hadeeth does not mean that it is the type of thing that you get a sin for not performing. Rather it is just the linguistical meaning, which is saying that it is something that you should do and it is highly recommended.

This is understood because of other hadeeth such as the one in which the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “Whoever makes wudoo on the day of Jumua’ah then goes to the Masjid. He then prays that which he was supposed to pray and is quiet until the Imaam is done the sermon, then his sins are forgiven (the period between the two Jumua’ah, with the addition of three days).” We also have the hadeeth where the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “Who ever makes ablution on the day of Jumua’ah then that is good, and if he makes ghusl then it is better.” So than it is understood that the statement ‘Waajib’ in the first hadeeth does not mean that it is something that is fard or obligatory. Rather, as we previously stated, it is something that is only highly recommended. We find this type of usage in the Arabic language often.

We understand, when we put all of these different narrations together, that the ruling for this ghusl is that it is only highly recommended. This is because there is a general principle when talking about putting hadeeth together. This principle states that the statements explain one another, when the actual wording changes. This is because the the statements of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) are true, and they  are in agreement with one another. This same principle holds true with the statements of Allah in His book.

The one that takes a ghusl because of sexual impurities on the day of Jumua’ah it is sufficient for him and his ghusl on the day of Jumua’ah. The best thing for him to do would be to make the intention for both ghusl together, before he starts his ghusl. It must be noted that the non-obligatory ghusl that is taken on the day of Jumua’ah are not considered acceptable unless they are done after the time starts for the fajr prayer.

The best time though for the ghusl is when the individual is on his way to go to the Jumua’ah prayer. This is because this is best for him to remain energized during the sermon and prayer, as well as better in terms of cleanliness.

[Taken from Majmoo’ al Fataawah by Sheikh Bin Baaz]

[Translated by Abu Abdillah Abdul Lateef]