Sa’im bin Abdullah narrates from his father (Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar). Once, Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was delivering the sermon to the people on Friday. During this, one of the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) entered. Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him in a loud voice,“What time is this?”He replied,“I was busy today. I went to my house when I heard the call to prayer, then I did nothing except perform ablution (i.e., I came here immediately).”Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said,“(Only) performing ablution is (a mistake) as well. You know that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to command (to perform ghusl) on the day of Friday.”(Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:) In this narration, there is a clear proof that it is not obligatory for a person who comes to attend Friday (prayer) to perform ghusl, because Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was delivering the sermon when Sayyiduna Uthman Ghani (may Allah be pleased with him) entered the mosque and informed Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he had only performed ablution and had come to the mosque. So neither Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) nor any other companion told him to come after performing ghusl for Friday. Thus, the consensus of the companions on what we have mentioned is a clear statement that the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to perform ghusl for Friday is for recommendation, not obligation.