Pefumes & Colognes

[TheHumbleWun]

salaamalikum brothers and sisters,

What is the ruling on perfumes and colognes? Are they permissable? Anywhere? Including in the masjid? I am not an expert in this field, but do they contain a form of alcohol?

 

[Happy 2BA Muslim]

Wa alaikum assalam.

We need to talk at length about the issue of perfumes that are said to contain cologne or alcohol. If the percentage of alcohol is very little, we say that it does not matter, and a person may use them without any concern, such as if the alcohol content is 5% or less. This does not matter.

If the percentage of alcohol is very high, so that you can detect it, then it is better not to use it except where it is necessary, such as for sterilizing wounds and the like.

In cases where it is not necessary, it is better not to use it, but we do not say that it is haram. The most we can say is that this high alcohol content is an intoxicant, and no doubt consuming intoxicants is haram according to the texts of Islam and the consensus of the scholars, but is using it in ways other than drinking it permissible? This is open to speculation, but to be on the safe side we should not use it. If you say that it is open to speculation because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, al-ansaab [animals that are sacrificed on stone altars for idols], and al-azlaam [arrows for seeking luck or decision], are an abomination of Shaytaan’s handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Shaytaan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from al-salaah (the prayer). So will you not then abstain?” [al-Ma’idah 5:90-91], then we look at the general meaning of the phrase So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination), and say that alcohol should be avoided in all cases, whether it is drunk or applied to the skin, or used in some other way. If we look at the reason why, Allaah says, “Shaytaan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from al-salaah (the prayer). So will you not then abstain?” We may understand this to mean that only drinking it is forbidden, because applying it to the skin does not lead to that (enmity and hatred, etc.). So, in conclusion, we say that if the percentange of alcohol in this perfume is low, there is no need to worry about using it, but if it is high, then it is better to avoid it unless it is for a need, such as sterilizing wounds and the like.



Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 24

 

[Happy 2BA Muslim]

Question: Many perfumes and some cosmetics contain alcohol. May a Muslim use these?

Answered by Sheikh Salman al-Oadah (Islam Today)

It is lawful to buy, sell, and use perfumes and cosmetics that contain alcohol, because the amount of alcohol is not significant and it is mixed with other materials.

It is not used as a drink, otherwise would be unlawful, even for selling and buying. If we say that such products are impure, then we have to say the same about many items such as gasoline and many other petroleum products that contain alcohol.

Even for intoxicating drinks, the preferable saying is that they are pure in and of themselves. They are unlawful because they intoxicate, not because they are impure.

When the Qur’ân calls wine as abomination, it is emphasizing that it is bad and forbidden. That is why it is mentioned as an abomination along with gambling, sacrificing to idols, and divination by arrows, none of which are physical impurities according to the agreement of the scholars. Therefore, there is no evidence in this verse that alcohol is impure.

If intoxicants were impure, they would not have been poured into the streets of Madinah while there is severe warning against who those who urinate in the roadways. Also, when intoxicants were prohibited, people were not requested to wash their utensils or clothes from it, not even those containers that held liquor. In one famous hadîth, a person was not asked even to clean the containers that contained alcohol. [Sahîh Muslim (1579) and Sunan al-Nasâ’î (4664)] All this is supported by the general principle in Islamic Law that things are assumed to be pure unless otherwise cited with evidence.

And Allah knows best.

 

[Happy 2BA Muslim]

Ruling on women wearing perfume​

Question:
I heard that women are not allowed to wear purfume, and that it makes them like an adulteress. Why can men purfume, but women can't?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Wearing perfume is permissible for women if they are at home or among other women. If it is done in order to please her husband, then it is mustahabb, because it is part of being a good wife. But if a woman puts on perfume and goes out with the purpose of letting non-mahram men smell it, then it becomes haraam, and she is a sinner if she does that, because that involves causing fitnah (temptation) to men. If a man puts on perfume and goes out, that does not cause any fitnah, unlike the case of a woman who goes out wearing perfume. If we assume that a man may cause fitnah if he goes out wearing perfume, as may be the case if he is beardless and handsome, such that he may even cause fitnah to men, then in this case he has to avoid things that may lead to fitnah, including wearing adornments and perfumes.

Concerning this very issue many reports have been narrated which strictly forbid this (women wearing perfume when they go out). These reports include saheeh ahaadeeth in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade women to wear perfume when they go out of their houses:

Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Any woman who puts on perfume then passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.”

Zaynab al-Thaqafiyyah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If any one of you (women) goes out to the mosque, let her not touch any perfume.”

Abu Hurayrah said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Any woman who has scented herself with bakhoor (incense), let her not attend ‘Ishaa’ prayers with us.”

Moosa ibn Yassaar said that a woman passed by Abu Hurayrah and her scent was overpowering. He said, “O female slave of al-Jabbaar, are you going to the mosque?” She said, “Yes,” He said, “And have you put on perfume because of that?” She said, “Yes.” He said, “Go back and wash yourself, for I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: ‘If a woman comes out to the mosque and her fragrance is overpowering, Allaah will not accept any prayer from her until she goes home and washes herself.’”

The reason for this prohibition is quite clear, which is that women’s fragrance may cause undue provocation of desires.


And Allaah is the Source of strength.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

 

[sheerheart1]

today

can u say its true that its not fitna for a man too use perfume ??????????
with todays society and haraam things going on a man can attract a woman by his cologne ..........some even wear this to attract attention from women so they smell good????????????

 

[justoneofmillion]

todays women are attracted by anything!!! that`S sad but so true it`s like a jungle down here may allah protect us and keep us on the straight path!but i put perfume on to smeel good not for any one but just because a like it and there is no haram in that. and Allah knows best

 

[sheerheart1]

todays women are attracted by anything!!! that`S sad but so true it`s like a jungle down here may allah protect us and keep us on the straight path!but i put perfume on to smeel good not for any one but just because a like it and there is no haram in that. and Allah knows best

:shymuslima1: not all women are attracted by cologne - the only persons cologne i love is my hubbies , but what about perfums in deodrant i mean sisters cant go around stinking best to use a light fragarance what do u think personallyi wear a light musk :shymuslima1: not to attract but so i dont offend anyone ,