Is Perfume Halal Or Haram?

Perfumes are halal, and it is one of the Prophet’s Sunnah that is highly recommended. Most Islamic scholars allow the wearing of perfumes containing alcohol while forbidding women from wearing perfume in public.

I know most perfumes may have alcohol in them and as alcohol is strictly prohibited in Islam Muslims have doubts about whether they can wear perfume or not.

In this article, I will share all the info related to perfumes and what are the rules for men and women stated in Quran and Sunnah.

Is Perfume Halal? (Islam And Perfumes)

If you are a Muslim the acts of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are one of the most important rulings for you. We Muslims do believe that these practices of the Prophet (peace be upon him) should be followed.

A Muslim should always be clean and smell good, as instructed by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Islam emphasizes cleanliness. Before performing any act of prayer in Islam, Muslims must be cleaned.

In the Book Of Purification, there is a hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) where he himself said about cleanliness:

“Cleanliness is half of faith”

[Sahih Muslim 223]

We are told in this hadith that keeping ourselves clean and pure is considered half of our religion, which is indeed a big deal to Muslims.

Perfumes were liked by our Prophet (peace be upon him). The following hadith explains this:

“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘In this world, women and perfume have been made dear to me, and my comfort has been provided in prayer.’”

[Sunan an-Nasa’i 3939]

Perfumes were one of the few things dear to our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). It’s important for every Muslim to wear perfumes in their daily lives.

Prophet’s wife Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) who is a great authority on the hadith says:

“I used to put perfume on the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he would go around to all his wives, then enter Ihram in the morning with the smell of perfume coming from him.”

[Sunan an-Nasa’i 431]

There is no doubt that wearing perfume was a habit of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he enjoyed it very much. It is therefore halal and highly recommended for every Muslim to wear perfume.

Which Perfume Prophet Liked Most?

Although there are many perfumes and fragrances but is any specific fragrance Prophet (peace be upon him) liked most?

The answer will always be Musk. It is stated in many hadiths and implies that if a Muslim can afford Musk it is better than other perfumes.

Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“The best of perfume is musk.”

[Sunan an-Nasa’i 1905]

It was narrated that Muhammad bin ‘Ali said:

“I asked ‘Aishah: ‘Did the Messenger of Allah [SAW] wear perfume?’ She said: ‘Yes, the perfumes used by men: Musk and amber.'”

[Sunan an-Nasa’i 5116]

These hadiths state that Prophet (peace be upon him) liked Musk and then amber as his favorite perfume.

Sunnah To Wear Perfume On Friday

Prophet (peace be upon him) always used to wear perfume on Friday for the congregational Friday prayers. He recommended everyone to wear perfume to Friday prayers, not for themselves, but for others. During the prayer, Muslims stand shoulder-to-shoulder with one another.

Every Muslim brother standing next to you in prayer should be delighted with your smell rather than the unpleasant body odor, according to the Prophet.

Narrated Salman Al-Farsi:

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Anyone who takes a bath on Friday and cleans himself as much as he can and puts oil (on his hair) or scents himself; and then proceeds for the prayer and does not force his way between two persons (assembled in the mosque for the Friday prayer), and prays as much as is written for him and remains quiet when the Imam delivers the Khutba, all his sins in between the present and the last Friday will be forgiven.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 910]

In the same way as Friday, Muslims are urged to wear perfume when attending gatherings. Perfumes will eventually become a pleasantry for other people around a Muslim, and Islam prescribes acts that benefit others most.

READ NEXT: Is It Halal To Work In A Bank?

Is It Halal To Use Perfume With Alcohol?

Yes, the majority of the scholars agree that it is permitted to wear perfume and pray according to Islamic law, even if the perfume contains alcohol.

The reason behind alcoholic perfume being halal is the alcohol itself. Now you must question that alcohol is haram in Islam but there is a difference. The alcohol used in perfumes is quite different than the one used in making intoxicating beverages.

Alcohol used in perfumes goes through an entirely different distillation process hence it’s considered clean. So this alcohol if present on the clothes of a Muslim won’t make the clothes impure.

There is another reason why scholars agree that alcoholic perfumes are halal. Perfumes are not meant for drinking purposes. Even if a perfume consists of alcohol a person cannot consume the perfume and get drunk. Alcohol is haram only when it’s intoxicating. In the case of perfumes, alcohol can never make a person dizzy hence is totally halal.

Fatwa of Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi (former President of the Islamic Society of North America):

“It is forbidden to drink alcohol. In the perfumes usually denatured alcohol is used. This alcohol is not unclean (najas). According to some jurists even natural alcohol is not najas. According to the Shari`ah, there is nothing wrong in using alcohol based perfumes.”

[source]

Another fatwa proving this is from Darul Ifta:

“The alcohol used in the perfumes etc is generally made of agents other than grapes, raisin and dates; therefore it is allowable to use the same due to its prevalence.”

[source]

So, in conclusion, if the percentage of alcohol in the perfume is low, there is no need to be frightened about using it, but if it is high it is best to avoid it unless absolutely required.

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Is It Haram For Women To Wear Perfume In Islam?

Wearing perfume is an act that is highly suggested in Islam to both men and women. Women, like men, must follow the same set of rules. In Islam, it is halal for women to wear perfumes.

We are highly discouraged from emitting any unpleasant smells, regardless of gender. Women just like men attend different gatherings where they meet with other Muslim sisters. It is highly advised that women wear perfume and smell good.

Women are also allowed to wear perfume if they are at home and praying. It is advised to use a non-alcoholic perfume that is not that strong compared to the male scent. Although alcoholic perfumes for women are also considered halal.

Is It Haram For A Woman To Wear Perfume When Going Out?

It is totally halal for women to wear perfume outdoors. However, there is an exception. Women can only wear the perfume in front of the people she is not allowed to marry therefore all the non-mahrams as called in Islam.

If she is wearing perfume in front of other women it is totally halal. But she is not allowed to wear any scent in front of any man with whom she can get married. This is because the perfume can create an allure for men which is generally haram for any woman.

Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet (peace be on him) said:

“Every eye commits adultery, and when the woman uses perfume and she passes by a gathering, then she is like this and that.'” Meaning an adulteress.

[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2786]

A fatwa on women wearing perfume in public:

“A woman should refrain from wearing strong perfumes when she goes out and mixes with non-mahram men (i.e. men allowed to marry her).”

[source]

READ NEXT: Why Is Interest Haram? (Islamic Guide On Riba)

Is It Haram For A Woman To Wear Perfume For Her Husband?

Scholars have stated that in her house women are 100% allowed to wear perfumes for their husbands. Islam teaches women to please their husbands and smelling good will only bring happiness to their relationship.

Wearing perfume in their homes for their husbands is halal for women.

As partners women and men are supposed to look out for each other’s happiness. While there are many things to look for in a relationship wearing perfume and smelling good is one of them.

One more reason it is allowed is that it’s okay for a woman to allure her husband, In fact, it’s highly suggested in Islam.

Final Thoughts

Wearing perfume is not only halal but a Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) for both men and women. The majority of scholars agree that alcoholic perfumes are also halal for both genders and it is highly suggested.

There is only one exception women can’t wear perfumes in front of all the non-mahrams which means all the men she can get married to. It’s haram for a woman to allure men in general apart from their husband. A woman can only wear perfume in front of other women and her husband.

And Allah Knows Best.

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