All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
It is likeable for men and women coming for Friday prayer to take a bath since Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, "The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every male (Muslim) who has attained the age of puberty."{Bukhari}. In addition, Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "It suffices to perform Wudu' properly for the Friday prayer; but it is better to take a bath."{At-Tirmithi}
Commenting on the first narration, Ibn Battal said, "The word "compulsory" means that the bath is compulsory in light of Prophetic Sunnah and noble manners."
Moreover, Al-Shirbini commented on the second narration, reported by Samurah, where he said, "It indicates that the Friday bath is likeable, not mandatory."{Moghni Al-Mohtajj}
In fact, Friday bath is required from men and women coming for Friday prayer; whereas, Eid bath is required from everyone, whether they are coming to Eid prayer or not.
Al-Nawawi, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Friday bath is likeable, not mandatory. It is likeable for anyone coming for Friday prayer: men, women, children, travelers, salves..etc., as concluded from the apparent meaning of the narration reported by Ibn Omar, May Allah be pleased with them, and since the aim is achieving cleanliness, which concerns everybody."{Al-Majmou`}.
However, it isn`t likeable for anyone who isn`t coming for Friday prayer to have a bath since Ibn Omar reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Men and women coming for the Friday prayer should take a bath, but those who aren`t, shouldn`t."{Al-Baihaqi}. "
It is likeable for anyone coming for Friday prayer to take a bath, even if that prayer isn`t incumbent upon them, such as women and children, based on the narration" Anyone of you coming for the Friday prayer should take the bath" and the narration of Al-Baihaqi, who said, "Anyone of you, men and women, coming for Friday prayer should take the bath, but those who aren`t, shouldn`t."{Nehayat al-Mohtajj}. And Allah knows best.
