Reported by Ahmad, al-Nasā’ī—whose wording is given here—and Abū Hātim al-Bustī. The hadiths concerning bathing on Friday are numerous.

The reason for this is that people gather and enter the mosque, and the angels are present. A person is also accompanied by angels, and it is authentically established that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The angels are offended by whatever offends human beings.”

It is also reported from Qays ibn ‘Āsim that:

“He embraced Islam, and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, instructed him to bathe with water and lote leaves.”

Reported by Ahmad, Abū Dāwūd, al-Nasā’ī, and al-Tirmidhī, who said: “It is a good hadith.”

Whether these two baths are obligatory is disputed, as is even the obligation to use lote leaves. Abū Bakr stated in al-Mushtabih that this was obligatory, contrary to what is reported from him elsewhere.

It is well known that the Prophet’s instruction to bathe with water and lote leaves was intended solely for cleansing. Likewise, he instructed that lote leaves be used when washing the pilgrim in the state of ihrām whose she-camel had broken his neck, and when washing his deceased daughter. He also instructed the menstruating woman to take her water and lote leaves. Lote leaves mixed with water have a cleansing effect.

It is also well known that bathing in a bathhouse provides more thorough cleansing, since its hot air and hot water loosen the dirt. Whatever more fully achieves the Lawgiver’s purpose is preferable, provided no countervailing consideration requires otherwise.