652. Is It True That Women Are Not Supposed To Wear Perfume When Going Out Of Their Home?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It’s not allowed for a Muslim woman to wear perfume while she’s outside or in a place where other nonmahram men can smell her. 

There are many ahaadeeth warning about that. 

For example:

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

“ *Any woman who puts on perfume then passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress*.” 

(Ahmad and al-Nasaa’i — hasan by al-Albaani)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam also said:

“If any one of you (women) goes out to the masjid, let her not *touch any perfume*.” (Muslim)

One time a woman passed by Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu and her scent was overpowering. 

He said, 

“O female servant of the Almighty, are you going to the masjid?” 

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 Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam say: ‘ *If a woman comes out to the masjid and her fragrance is overpowering*, *Allaah will not accept any prayer from her until she goes home and washes herself*.’” (Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah- Hasan by al-Albaani)

And the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

“ *Any woman who has scented herself with bakhoor (incense), let her not attend ‘Ishaa’ prayers with us*.” (Muslim)

*Why is it prohibited*

Women shouldn’t wear perfume and go to the masjid or any public place where there’s exposure to non-mahram men because it’s a very strong form of attraction and goes against the conditions of hijaab. 

*BUT* if the fragrance is very LIGHT and no one can really smell you, or you’re amongst women only or there aren't any non-mahrams around, then there’s nothing wrong with wearing perfume. 

In fact, the Sahaabiyaat used to wear perfume when they thought that most likely they would not be among men or or be smelt by them. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam knew that yet he did not stop them from using it.

Our mother Aa’ishah Radhi Allaahu anhaa said: 

“We used to go out with the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam to Makkah, and we would apply perfume to our foreheads when entering ihraam, then if one of us sweated it would run down her face, and the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam would see it but he would not rebuke her.” (Abu Dawood 1830; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood)

Keep in mind that at that time, women would be completely separate and their caravan would be far from the men. 

They would be in the “howdah” while traveling and did not mix with the men or pass by the places where they were.

Shaykh ibn Baaz said:

“It is permissible for her to apply perfume if she is going out to a place of women and is not going to pass by men in the street.”

(Majmoo’ al-Fataawa 10/40)

It is *highly recommended* that women should wear perfume for their *husbands*. 

That’s part of beautifying yourself for him, which is something good. 

So DO wear perfume at home when no nonmahrams are around. 

Al-Manaawi said: 

“As for putting on perfume and adorning oneself for one’s husband, it is required and recommended. 

Some of the scholars said: 

The wife’s adorning herself and putting on perfume for her husband are among the strongest causes of love and harmony between them and keeps dislike and resentment at bay, because the eye is the way to the heart, so if the eye sees something and likes it, it goes straight to the heart and thus love is generated. 

If it looks at something ugly or something that it does not like of clothing or garments, it will go to the heart and thus resentment and hatred will be generated. 

Hence the Arab women used to advise one another: 

Beware of letting your husband see you in a way that he does not like  or smell something from you that he finds off-putting.”

(Fayd al-Qadeer, 3/190)

*So what to do if you live in a city where it’s very hot and you get really sweaty easily?*

-Shower every day 

-make sure your underarms are shaved and clean. 

-make sure to apply  deodorant/antiperspirant every day after showering. 

-make sure to wear freshly washed, clean clothes 

-make sure your Abaayah is also clean. 

-do not wear the same old clothes/Abaayah that you wore yesterday. 

You will NOT smell bad. Guaranteed. 

And Allaah knows best