Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Does a muslim have to perform Ghusl before Jumah prayer even though he is in a state of purity? Can he perform Ghusl the night before Jumah prayer rather than on the same day? 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Ghusl for Jumua Prayer

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your question: Does a muslim have to perform Ghusl before Jumah prayer even though he is in a state of purity?

It is preferred for anyone - man or woman, an elderly or young person, a traveler or a resident - who desires to attend the Salatul Jumu'ah, to cleanse and to wear best attire. One should perform ghusl, put on one's finest clothing, apply perfume, and to brush one's teeth.

The following hadith are recorded on this matter:

Abu Sa'id reports that the Prophet said: "Every Muslim should have a ghusl on Friday and wear his best clothing, and if he has perfume, he should use it." This is related by Ahmad, al-Bukhari, and Muslim.

Salman al-Farsi reports that the Prophet (saws) said: "A man who performs ghusl on Friday, purifies [himself] what he can and uses dye [for his hair] or perfumes himself in his house, goes to the mosque, and does not cause separation between two people [who are already seated], prays what Allah has prescribed for him, and then listens quietly while the imam speaks, all his sins between that Friday and the next Friday will be forgiven." This is related by Ahmad and al-Bukhari.

The sins mentioned in this hadith are the minor sins as Ibn Majah recorded, on the authority of Abu Hurairah in the words: "For one who has not committed major sins."

Ahmad records that the Prophet (saws) said: "It is obligatory upon every Muslim to perform ghusl, apply purfume and use the miswak on Jumu'ah.

Abu Hurairah reports that one Friday the Prophet said: "O gathering of Muslims, Allah has made this day an 'id for you, so make ghusl and use the miswak." This is related by at-Tabarani in al-Ausat and al-Kabir.

Your question: Can he perform Ghusl the night before Jumah prayer rather than on the same day? 

There is no harm if one performs the Ghusl the night before Jumuah. But it is better and closer to the Sunnah to perform the Ghusl especially with intention to pray the Jumuah Prayer.

If one does not perform the ghusl especially for Jumuah Prayer, but just does wudu and makes himself available for prayer, his Jumah Prayer will still be accepted. But if one prepares himself especially for the Jumuah Prayers, and does ghusl especially for the Jumuah Prayers, perfumes himself, and uses the miswak; as advised by the Messenger of Allah (saws); he would receive a much greater reward from Allah Subhanah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan