1/132. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 354 — Wudu Is Good, Ghusl Is Better
The Permissibility Of Not Performing Ghusl On Friday
Friday Ghusl or Wudu Hadith: Bathing Is Better
Sunan Abi Dawud : 354
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 354
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ الطَّيَالِسِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ سَمُرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَبِهَا وَنِعْمَتْ وَمَنِ اغْتَسَلَ فَهُوَ أَفْضَلُ " .
Samurah Narrated from:
If any one of you performs ablution (on Friday) that is all right; and if any of you takes a bath, that is better.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 354In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 354English translation : Book 1, Hadith 354
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 354
This hadith is often searched as “wudu or ghusl on Friday hadith.” Samurah narrates that if one performs ablution on Friday, that is all right, and if one takes a bath, that is better. The wording is balanced. It does not use long details about clothing, perfume, or early arrival. It simply compares wudu and ghusl for Friday. Wudu is described positively, and ghusl is described as better. This makes the message easy to understand for a reader who wants the basic point: Friday washing has a higher place, while ablution is still spoken of as good in this narration. The text supports choosing the cleaner and better preparation for Jumu‘ah when possible.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ablution on Friday is described as all right.
- Taking a bath is described as better.
- The hadith gives a simple comparison without adding extra details.
