It is due upon every Muslim to bathe for one day every seven days, in which he should wash his head and body

Chapter: Is the bath necessary for those who do not present themselves for the Jumu'ah prayer

Authentic hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 896

حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ طَاوُسٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا، وَأُوتِينَاهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ، فَهَذَا الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ فَهَدَانَا اللَّهُ، فَغَدًا لِلْيَهُودِ وَبَعْدَ غَدٍ لِلنَّصَارَى ‏"‏‏.‏ فَسَكَتَ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ حَقٌّ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَغْتَسِلَ فِي كُلِّ سَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا يَغْسِلُ فِيهِ رَأْسَهُ وَجَسَدَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ حَقٌّ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَغْتَسِلَ فِي كُلِّ سَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا يَغْسِلُ فِيهِ رَأْسَهُ وَجَسَدَهُ ‏"

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"It is due upon every Muslim to bathe for one day every seven days, in which he should wash his head and body."

Reported by Al-Bukhari (No. 896, 238, 876, 2956, 3486, 6624, 6887, 7495), Muslim (No. 855a, 855c, 855d), An-Nasa’i (No. 1367) and Ahmad (No. 7009, 7092, 7094, 7381, 7382, 7767, 8147, 9739).

Explanation

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that it is due upon every rational and mature Muslim to take a bath once a week, in which he washes his head and body, seeking purification and cleanliness. The worthiest among these days is Friday, as understood from some versions. For example, bathing on Friday before the prayer is highly recommended, even if one has taken one on Thursday. What indicates that the bath on Friday is not obligatory is the statement by 'Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her): "The people used to work, and whenever they went for the Friday prayer, they would go in the same condition as they had been in work. So, it was said to them: 'If only you had taken a bath'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]. In another version by him: "They were smelling bad", i.e., the smell of sweat. Despite that, it was said to them: "If only you had taken a bath." so that others are more likely to do so.

Lessons

The Hadīth highlights Islam's interest and care about cleanliness and purification.
Bathing on Friday is strongly recommended for the prayer.
The head is singled out despite it being part of the body to give it more attention.
Bathing is expected of those who have a foul smell that annoys people.
Given its merit, Friday is the most recommended day for taking a bath.

Explanation in Arabic

أَخْبَرَ رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: أنه حقٌّ متأكد على كل مسلم بالغ عاقل أنْ يغتسلَ في كل سبعة أيام من الأسبوع يومًا، فيغسل في هذا اليوم رأسَه وجسدَه، طلبًا للطهارة والنظافة، وأَولى هذه الأيام يومُ الجمعة، كما يُفهم من بعض الروايات، والاغتسال يوم الجمعة قبل الصلاة مستحب استحبابًا مؤكدًا، ولو كان اغتسل يوم الخميس مثلًا، والصارف عن الوجوب قول عائشة رضي الله عنها: "كان الناسُ مَهَنَةَ أنفسهم، وكانوا إذا راحوا إلى الجمعة راحوا في هيئتهم: فقيل لهم: لو اغتسلتم"، رواه البخاري، وفي رواية له: "لهم أرواح" أي رائحة العَرَقِ ونحوِه، ومع ذلك قيل لهم "لو اغتسلتم"، فغيرُهم من باب أولى.

اهتمام وعناية الإسلام بالنظافة والطهارة.
غسل الجمعة مستحب استحبابًا مُؤكدًا للصلاة.
ذِكْر الرَّأس وإن كان ذِكْر الجسد يشمله؛ للاهتمام به.
ﻳﺠﺐ ﺍﻟﻐﺴﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻭُﺟِﺪﺕْ ﺑﻪ ﺭﺍﺋﺤﺔٌ ﻛﺮﻳﻬﺔٌ ﻳﺘﺄﺫﻯ ﺑﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﻨﺎس.
آكَدُ يومٍ للاغتسال يوم الجمعة؛ لفضله.

Classical commentary

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani — Fath al-Bari

قَوْلُهُ فِي حَدِيث أَبِي هُرَيْرَة ( فَسَكَتَ ثُمَّ قَالَ : حَقّ عَلَى كُلّ مُسْلِم إِلَخْ ) فَاعِل " سَكَتَ " هُوَ النَّبِيّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , فَقَدْ أَوْرَدَهُ الْمُصَنِّف فِي ذِكْر بَنِي إِسْرَائِيل مِنْ وَجْه آخَر عَنْ وُهَيْب بِهَذَا الْإِسْنَاد دُون قَوْلُهُ " فَسَكَتَ ثُمَّ قَالَ " وَيُؤَكِّد كَوْنه مَرْفُوعًا رِوَايَة مُجَاهِد عَنْ طَاوُسٍ الْمُقْتَصِرَة عَلَى الْحَدِيث الثَّانِي , وَلِهَذِهِ النُّكْتَة أَوْرَدَهُ بَعْده فَقَالَ " رَوَاهُ أَبَان بْن صَالِح إِلَخْ " وَكَذَا أَخْرَجَهُ مُسْلِم مِنْ وَجْه آخَر عَنْ وُهَيْب مُقْتَصَرًا , وَهَذَا التَّعْلِيق عَنْ مُجَاهِد قَدْ وَصَلَهُ الْبَيْهَقِيُّ مِنْ طَرِيق سَعِيد بْن أَبِي هِلَال عَنْ أَبَان الْمَذْكُور , وَأَخْرَج…

Scholar	Grade	Applies to	Work
Al-Bukharid. 256 AH	Authenticصحيح	The hadith	صحيح البخاري No. 896

Grades of other versions (1)

Authentic chainShu'ayb al-Arna'ut إسناده صحيح على شرط الشيخين — تخريج المسند لشعيب (8503)

Other versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 238

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "We (Muslims) are the last (people to come in the world) but (will be) the foremost (on the Day of Resurrection)."

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 876

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) saying, "We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but (will be) the foremost on the Day of Resurrection though the former nations were given the Holy Scriptures before us. And this was their day (Friday) the celebration of which was made compulsory for them but…

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، بَيْدَ أَنَّهُمْ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا، ثُمَّ هَذَا يَوْمُهُمُ الَّذِي فُرِضَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَاخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ، فَهَدَانَا اللَّهُ، فَالنَّاسُ لَنَا فِيهِ…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 2956

That heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "We are the last but will be the foremost to enter Paradise)." The Prophet added, "He who obeys me, obeys Allah, and he who disobeys me, disobeys Allah. He who obeys the chief, obeys me, and he who disobeys the chief, disobeys me. The Imam is like a shelter…

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 3486

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We are the last (to come) but we will be the foremost on the Day of Resurrection, nations were given the Book (i.e. Scripture) before us, and we were given the Holy Book after them. This (i.e. Friday) is the day about which they differed. So the next day (i.e. Saturday) was…

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، بَيْدَ كُلُّ أُمَّةٍ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا وَأُوتِينَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ، فَهَذَا الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي اخْتَلَفُوا، فَغَدًا لِلْيَهُودِ وَبَعْدَ غَدٍ…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 6624

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We (Muslims) are the last in the world, but will be foremost on the Day of Resurrection."

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 6887

That he heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but (will be) the foremost (on the Day of Resurrection)." And added, "If someone is peeping (looking secretly) into your house without your permission, and you throw a stone at him and destroy his eyes, there will be…

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

See all 23 versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 7495

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but will be the foremost on the Day of Resurrection." The narrators of this Hadith said: Allah said (to man), 'Spend (in charity), for then I will compensate you (generously).' "

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 855a

We who are the last shall be the first on the Day of Resurrection, except that every Ummah was given the Book before us and we were given it after them. It was this day which Allah prescribed for us and guided us to it and the people came after us with regard to it, the Jews observing the next day…

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ وَنَحْنُ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بَيْدَ أَنَّ كُلَّ أُمَّةٍ أُوتِيَتِ الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا وَأُوتِينَاهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ ثُمَّ هَذَا الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا هَدَانَا…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 855c

We are the last (but) we would be the first on the Day of Resurrection, and we would be the first to enter Paradise, but that they were given the Book before us and we were given after them. They disagreed and Allah guided us aright on whatever they disagreed regarding the truth. And it was this…

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ الأَوَّلُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَنَحْنُ أَوَّلُ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ بَيْدَ أَنَّهُمْ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا وَأُوتِينَاهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ فَاخْتَلَفُوا فَهَدَانَا اللَّهُ لِمَا…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 855d

We who are the last would be the first on the Day of Resurrection but they (other Ummahs) were given the Book before us and we were given after them, and this was the day that was prescribed for them but they disagreed on it. And Allah guided us to it. and they came after us with regard to it, the…

نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بَيْدَ أَنَّهُمْ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا وَأُوتِينَاهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ وَهَذَا يَوْمُهُمُ الَّذِي فُرِضَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَاخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ فَهَدَانَا اللَّهُ…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan an-Nasa'i 1367

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'We are the last (to come) but will be the foremost on the Day of Resurrection, but they were given the Book before us and we were given it after them. They differed concerning this day which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, had prescribed for them and Allah, the…

"‏ نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ بَيْدَ أَنَّهُمْ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا وَأُوتِينَاهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ وَهَذَا الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْهِمْ فَاخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ فَهَدَانَا…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Musnad Ahmad 7009