Bathing in Public Baths: Sayyiduna Ibn Umar’s (RA) Practice and Hadith Guidan

The Ruling on Bathing in Public Baths: Practice of Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (RA) and Guidance from Hadith


Source: Fatawa Ilmiyah, Vol. 1: Principles, Authentication, and Investigation of Narrations – Page 622

Bathing in Public Baths: Islamic Guidance​

Question:
What is the ruling on bathing in public baths?


Narration:
When Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه went to a bath, the attendant would sometimes pass a cleansing tool up to his navel. He would then say:
"اخرج" – meaning, "Go out."
(Source: Majma‘ al-Zawaid 1/390, Hadith No. 1529)
(Narrator: Muhammad Mohsin Salfi, Karachi)


Answer:


Alhamdulillah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, as for what follows:

1. Chain of Narration:
   The chain of this narration is not fully established. However, its meaning is supported by other sources, such as:

• Musannaf Abd al-Razzaq (1/291)
• Mawsu‘ah Fiqh Abdullah bin Umar (p. 308)

1. Strong Supporting Narration:
   Ibn Abi Shaybah (1/109, Hadith No. 1165) transmits from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه with a sound chain that he said:
   "لا تدخل الحمام فإنه مما أحدثوا من النعيم"
   (Do not enter the bath, for it is among the innovations of luxury they have introduced.)
   (Source: Shahadat, August 2004)
2. Summary and Guidance:

• Although the first narration has a weak chain, other hadith sources provide similar guidance.
• Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه disliked the customary public baths because they involved unnecessary displays of luxury and innovations.
• From a Shariah perspective, using a bath or bathing facility is permissible, but modesty, privacy, and Islamic etiquette must be observed.

And Allah knows best.