The Ritual Bath of Jumu’ah, Entering the Bathhouse, Its Etiquette, and Teachings on Cleanliness and Beautification

Hanan ibn Sudayr narrated from his father: He said: 'I entered a bathhouse in Medina with my father, grandfather, and uncle. There was a man in the changing room.’ Imam عليه السلام said: ”Where are you people from?" We replied: ”From the people of Al-Iraq” . Imam عليه السلام said: ”Which part of Al-Iraq?” We replied: ”From Al-Kufa”. Imam عليه السلام said: ”Welcome, O’ people of Kufa, you are the closest to us.” Then He عليه السلام said: ”Why are you not wearing a covering (waistcloth)? For Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم has said that 'The private parts of a believer are forbidden for another believer to see.'" My uncle then sent for a piece of cloth, cut it into four pieces, and each of us took one before we entered (bathhouse). When we entered into the warm room (of bathhouse), the man turned to my grandfather and said: "O’ elderly man, why do you not use henna (dye)?" My grandfather said: "I have seen someone better than you and me who did not use it." Imam عليه السلام said: "And Who is better than me?" My grandfather replied: “I saw (Imam عليه السلام) Ali ibn Abi Talib and he did not dye his hair." He عليه السلام lowered his head and sweat fell from him, and said: “You have spoken truth and sincere. Then Imam عليه السلام said: "O’ elderly man, if you dye your hair, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also dyed his hair, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is better than (Imam عليه السلام) Ali. And if you choose not to dye, then you have Sunnah of (Imam عليه السلام) Ali as an example." When we left the bathhouse, we asked about the man in the room, and it was told they are Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain عليه السلام, with his son Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام.”