Prophet Muhammad SAW Recommends Friday Bathing, Here Are Its Virtues Explained in Hadith
Prophet Muhammad SAW referred to bathing on Friday as part of the fitrah of Islam. This information is contained in a hadith narrated in Sahih Ibnu Hibban by Alauddin Ali bin Balban Al Farisi. Besides explaining the recommendation for Friday bathing, the hadith also explains its virtue, which is being a cause for the forgiveness of sins until the following Friday for those who meet the requirements.
In Sahih Ibnu Hibban, it is explained that Friday bathing is part of fitrah. Al Hasan bin Sufyan informed us, Humaid bin Zanjuwaih narrated to us, Ibnu Abu Uwais narrated to us from Sulaiman bin Bilal, from Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abu Maryam, from Abu Salamah bin Abdurrahman, from Abu Hurairah.
The Prophet Muhammad SAW said, ‘Indeed, the fitrah of Islam is bathing on Friday, brushing the teeth, trimming the moustache, and maintaining the beard. Because the Magians maintain their moustaches and cut their beards. So, distinguish yourselves from them. Trim your moustaches and maintain your beards.’ Ibnu Abu Uwais is named Isma’il bin Abdullah bin Abdullah bin Abu Uwais bin Malik Al Ashbahi, the son of the sister of Malik bin Anas. His hadith narrations are used as evidence by Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
In Sahih Ibnu Hibban, it is also explained that a person who performs the Friday bath is purified from sins until the following Friday. Muhammad bin Zuhair Abu Ya’la in Ubulah informed us, Muhammad bin Abdul A’la narrated to us, Harun bin Muslim narrated to us, the ruler of Hinna, Aban bin Yazid narrated to us a hadith from Yahya bin Abu Katsir, from Abdullah bin Abu Qatadah.
Yahya bin Abu Katsir said, ‘Abu Qatadah entered my house while I was performing the Friday bath.’ Abu Qatadah asked, ‘Is this bath because of janabah (major ritual impurity)?’ Yahya bin Abu Katsir answered, ‘Yes.’ Abu Qatadah said, ‘Repeat your bath! Because I heard the Prophet Muhammad SAW say: Whoever bathes on Friday, then he remains in a state of purity until the following Friday.’ (Sanad of this hadith is strong. Harun bin Muslim conveyed the narration to a group of hadith narrators). Abu Hatim said, ‘The meaning of the Prophet’s SAW saying ’then he remains in a state of purity until the following Friday’ is purity from sins. Because whoever attends Friday prayer while fulfilling its conditions, he will surely be forgiven for his sins between that Friday and the following Friday.’ Ibnu Umar said, the Prophet Muhammad SAW said, ‘When one of you intends to attend Friday prayer, then let him bathe.’ (Sanad of this hadith is authentic according to the conditions of Imam Muslim).