Friday Ghusl: Difference between revisions

Ghusl al-Jum’a (ritual bathing on Friday) is one of the most important Mustahab (recommended) Ghusls. About the importance of this Ghusl, prophet Muhammad (s) said, “Never abandon Ghusl al-Jum’a, even if you have to save on food and spend on performing Ghusl; as Ghusl al-Jum’a is one of the greatest Mustahab acts.”

The time of performing Ghusl al-Jum’a is from Adhan of Morning Prayer on Friday to the noon of that day; although one can perform its Qada in Friday afternoon or on Saturday. According to most Marja’s Ghusl al-Jum’a will not suffice for performing Salat, that is, one must make Wudu for performing Salat.

Ghusl al-Jum’a is emphatically recommended, to the extent that some early Faqihs said that it is Wajib (compulsory). About the importance of this Ghusl, prophet Muhammad (a) said, “Never abandon Ghusl al-Jum’a, even if you have to save on food and spend on performing Ghusl; as Ghusl al-Jum’a is one of the greatest Mustahab acts.” Moreover, when Imam Ali (a) wanted to rebuke someone, he would say to him, “You are even weaker than the one who abandons Ghusl al-Jum’a.”

It is commonly said that if someone perform Ghusl al-Jum’a for 40 weeks in row, his/her body will not decay in grave; however, there is no Hadith supporting this saying.

The time of performing Ghusl al-Jum’a is from Adhan of Morning Prayer on Friday to the noon of that day. It is better to perform it near the noon. If one guesses that s/he would not have access to water on Friday, s/he is allowed to perform Ghusl al-Jum’a on Thursday.   

If one cannot perform Ghusl al-Jum’a by the noon on Friday, s/he can perform its Qada in Friday afternoon or on Saturday. Some said that if Ghusl al-Jum’a is performed in Friday afternoon or on Saturday, according to Precaution, it must be performed without the Niyya (intention) of Ada’ or Qada.  

Like other Ghusls, Ghusl al-Jum’a is performed in two ways: Tartibi (sequential) and Irtimasi (by immersion). It only differs from other Ghusls in Niyya (intention).

According to the Fatwa of most Marja’s, Ghusl al-Jum’a will not suffice for Salat and one must make Wudu for performing Salat, in addition to Ghusl al-Jum’a.

If after Ghusl al-Jum’a a Hadath (something that voids Wudu or Ghusl) occurs, there is no need for repeating Ghusl al-Jum’a; actually, repeating it is not Mustahab (recommended).

It is Mustahab to read this supplication while performing Ghusl al-Jum’a: “I bare witness that there is no god except for Allah, the One, Who has no partner, and [I bare witness that] Muhammad is His servant and His apostle. O, Allah, salute Muhammad and his household; and make me one of the repenters and make me one of the purification seekers.”