Perfumes, scents, fragrances, ittar, oud, bakhoor, I’m sure we all have a favourite. Be it sweet, warm, fruity, floral, fresh, earthy or exotic, we all enjoy smelling good. None of us wants to leave the house reeking, sweaty and smelly, or having picked the days dinner in the seams of our clothes.

Especially so, for women. Women have a tendency to want a good appearance; and naturally a good smell is entwined in the package of ‘good appearance.’ I mean, there is no point looking good, but as soon as someone is within 5 metres of your body they have to evacuate the area!

Women and perfumery go hand in hand. However, there limits to wearing perfume for women. Whilst a woman may douse herself in her home, she has to be careful of carrying the scent outside with her. The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him) issued a very stern warning in regard to this, he said,

“Any woman who applies perfume and then goes out among the people so that they could smell her fragrance is a Zaaniyah (adultress).” (Ahmad)

Whoa! You may be thinking, ‘that’s harsh!’ But in reality it’s not. Islam came to protect the women, to take care of them, to honour them. It came to remove from them the stains of jahiliyyah in which they were mere merchandise. The perfume of women causes unwanted attention, and unnecessary interest in her. Research by Monell Chemical Senses Centre has found that perfume makes women more attractive, and prettier. Other research has found that there is a direct link between our olfactory senses and desire. So, it’s no wonder the Prophet (peace be upon him) issued such a severe warning.

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

Similarly Abu-Hurayrah narrated, that the Prophet said, “Any woman who has scented herself with bakhoor (incense) let her not attend ishaa prayers with us.”

Today it has become a norm, when women leave the house, the bottle of perfume is strategically placed for easy access, and the charcoal is ready to be lighted for the bakhoor. Many give the excuse that they are going to the house of Allah, and therefore have to be presentable and smell good. As long as you are clean, and your clothes are clean, then there is no need for perfuming oneself before leaving for the mosque.

On this account, Abu Hurayrah narrates that a woman passed him by and her scent was over-powering. He addressed her, “O female slave of Al-Jabbar, are you going to the mosque?” She said, “yes.” He said, “Go back and wash yourself, for I heard the Messenger of Allah say; ‘if a woman comes out to the mosque and her fragrance is overpowering, Allah will not accept any prayer from her until she goes home and washes herself.”

My dearest sisters, there is no point perfuming oneself to attend the mosque if your prayers will not be accepted. You are losing the reward! There is no point attempting to please the creation with a ‘presentable’ appearance and smell at the cost of the displeasure of Allah, by which one is classed as a fornicator!

Women’s perfumes and scent causes unnecessary attraction, and undue provocation. Islam is simple. We should go out hoping to gain the reward and mercy of Allah, not to fall into sin. May Allah help us to rectify our ways.

May Allah protect us, and keep us on the Siraat-ul-mustaqeem