The Ruling on the Friday Bath and the Ruling on Begging
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His Eminence the Shaykh: What is the precise ruling on the Friday bath, and is it obligatory or recommended? If the position that it is obligatory is the correct one, does one who leaves it off commit a sin? Also, we observe the phenomenon of begging in the mosques. What is our stance regarding beggars: do we forbid them absolutely, do we be wary of them, or do we investigate their situation? What is the precise ruling on this, may Allah prolong your benefit?
These are two questions: First: regarding the Friday bath, the correct position is that it is obligatory;Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (The Friday bath is obligatory for every person who has reached puberty) We know that the most eloquent and clearest of people in expression is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), so it is not possible for him to call something that is not obligatory "obligatory." We also know that the most sincere of people in clarifying his intent and guiding creation is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him),So how does he say: (Obligatory) while he intends something that is not obligatory; because if he intended that it was not obligatory, that would be misleading the one addressed, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is free from that and cleared of it, and he is the most severe and most sincere of people toward creation,Then he qualified it with a description that implies obligation, which is his saying: (For every person who has reached puberty), meaning for every adult, and the adult is the one subject to obligation; because a non-adult is not obligated in anything. So the correct position is that it is obligatory.
As for what is mentioned regarding the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: (Whoever performs ablution on Friday, that is good and excellent, and whoever bathes, the bath is better) This is a weak hadith that is not authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
And if we say: It is obligatory; therefore, one who leaves it off commits a sin. But is the Friday prayer valid if one leaves it off?Answer: Yes.
It is valid even if one leaves it off;Because this bath is not for major ritual impurity, so that we would say: If the Friday prayer were not valid, this would be indicated by the story of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) when he entered and the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar, was preaching to the people on Friday,So he rebuked him for that and said: [By Allah -O Commander of the Faithful!- I did nothing more than perform ablution and then come.
So 'Umar said to him: And only ablution?] Meaning: How do you settle for ablution and leave off the bath?And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (When any one of you comes for the Friday prayer, let him take a bath) So he rebuked him for leaving off the bath in front of the people, and he permitted him to pray the Friday prayer,And if it were not valid, he would have said: Go and take a bath.
As for the issue of begging, the reality is that people spoil things for one another. Some of the beggars beg -may Allah protect us from that- while they are in abundance. This applies to them the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): (A man will keep asking people until the Day of Resurrection comes and there is not a piece of flesh on his face) If you know that he is wealthy, it is obligatory for you to drive him away and to make clear to the people his wealth so that they are not deceived by him. If it is most likely in your opinion that he is wealthy, do not give to him, and advise him. If you are in doubt about the matter, entrust his case to Allah, and you are not obligated to respond to him with anything.
But the consideration remains that some of the beggars stand in front of the congregation, speak in a loud voice, and disturb the people's dhikr after the prayer. They may continue speaking until their speech disturbs those who wish to perform voluntary prayer,So one like this is prevented, and it is said to him: Go out to the outer door of the mosque.
These are two questions: First: regarding the Friday bath, the correct position is that it is obligatory;Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (The Friday bath is obligatory for every person who has reached puberty) We know that the most eloquent and clearest of people in expression is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), so it is not possible for him to call something that is not obligatory "obligatory." We also know that the most sincere of people in clarifying his intent and guiding creation is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him),So how does he say: (Obligatory) while he intends something that is not obligatory; because if he intended that it was not obligatory, that would be misleading the one addressed, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is free from that and cleared of it, and he is the most severe and most sincere of people toward creation,Then he qualified it with a description that implies obligation, which is his saying: (For every person who has reached puberty), meaning for every adult, and the adult is the one subject to obligation; because a non-adult is not obligated in anything. So the correct position is that it is obligatory.
As for what is mentioned regarding the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: (Whoever performs ablution on Friday, that is good and excellent, and whoever bathes, the bath is better) This is a weak hadith that is not authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
And if we say: It is obligatory; therefore, one who leaves it off commits a sin. But is the Friday prayer valid if one leaves it off?Answer: Yes.
It is valid even if one leaves it off;Because this bath is not for major ritual impurity, so that we would say: If the Friday prayer were not valid, this would be indicated by the story of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) when he entered and the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar, was preaching to the people on Friday,So he rebuked him for that and said: [By Allah -O Commander of the Faithful!- I did nothing more than perform ablution and then come.
So 'Umar said to him: And only ablution?] Meaning: How do you settle for ablution and leave off the bath?And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (When any one of you comes for the Friday prayer, let him take a bath) So he rebuked him for leaving off the bath in front of the people, and he permitted him to pray the Friday prayer,And if it were not valid, he would have said: Go and take a bath.
As for the issue of begging, the reality is that people spoil things for one another. Some of the beggars beg -may Allah protect us from that- while they are in abundance. This applies to them the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): (A man will keep asking people until the Day of Resurrection comes and there is not a piece of flesh on his face) If you know that he is wealthy, it is obligatory for you to drive him away and to make clear to the people his wealth so that they are not deceived by him. If it is most likely in your opinion that he is wealthy, do not give to him, and advise him. If you are in doubt about the matter, entrust his case to Allah, and you are not obligated to respond to him with anything.
But the consideration remains that some of the beggars stand in front of the congregation, speak in a loud voice, and disturb the people's dhikr after the prayer. They may continue speaking until their speech disturbs those who wish to perform voluntary prayer,So one like this is prevented, and it is said to him: Go out to the outer door of the mosque.