A woman should apply fragrance exclusively for her husband

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Question

What is the reference of this Hadith?

It is narrated that Umar ibn al-Khattab went out on the day of ‘Eid and passed by a group of women. He noticed a scent emanating from the head of a woman and remarked, “Who is the companion of this fragrance?” If I knew her, I would have surely did that and that” A woman’s fragrance is reserved for her husband”

Answer

Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration

Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibnul Khattab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) once passed by some women on the Day of ‘Eid. He noticed a fragrant scent emanating from the head of one of the women. He said, “From who is this fragrance emanating? Had I known her, I would have done such and such [i.e. rebuked her]. A woman should only be applying scent for her husband. When she emerges from her home, she should wear old clothing or her slave’s old clothing [i.e. she should be properly covered so that she does not attract lustful glances]

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 26862)

The narrators are reliable.

Sayyiduna Abu Musa Al Ash’ari (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Any woman who applies perfume and passes by people so that they may smell her fragrance is like an adulteress”.

(Sunan Nasa’i (Al Mujtaba) Hadith: 5126, Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2786, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 4173, Sahih ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 4424 and Mustadrak Hakim vol. 2 pg. 396)

The commentators of Hadith explain that since this woman has stirred up the desires of men with her fragrance, she has encouraged them to cast gazes at her, thus making her the cause of adultery of the eyes.

(Refer: Badhlul Majhud of Al Muhaddith Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri, vol. 12 pg. 202, Hadith: 4173 and Tuhfatul Ahwadhi, Hadith: 2786)

It is a principle in Islam, that one who is the cause of the sin will also bear the brunt of that sin. This doesn’t mean that the one who actually perpetrates the wrong is innocent. Rather, he too will be sinful.

Note: the Arabic word used in the Hadith is ‘زانية ‘ which means an adulteress and not a prostitute.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Fragrance for men is that which the scent is apparent and colour is hidden and fragrance for women is that which its colour is visible and its scent is hidden.”

Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2787.

This Hadith applies to women when they intend on leaving the home. A good fragrance will attract unnecessary attention from strange men and could lead to fitnah. Therefore, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) issued stern warnings against such a practice.

‘Fragrance’ in this Hadith [for women] has been used metaphorically.

The commentators explain that this would refer to Saffron [probably mixed with some water] or henna as these have colour but no smell. Thus, women are permitted to apply these and leave the home [as these would not attract attention from strange men if a woman is properly concealed]. Applying fragrance with a good smell is reserved exclusively for when she is with her husband.

(Refer: Badhlul Majhud, Hadith: 2174, Tuhfatul Ahwadhi, Hadith: 2787)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

مصنف ابن أبي شيبة: (١٣/ ٤٢٣)
(٢٦٨٦٢) – حدثنا وكيع ، عن الأعمش ، عن إبراهيم ، أن عمر بن الخطاب خرج يوم عيد ، فمر بالنساء , فوجد ريح رأس امرأة فقال : من صاحبة هذا؟ أما لو عرفتها لفعلت وفعلت ، إنما تطيب المرأة لزوجها ، فإذا خرجت لبست أطيمرها ، أو أطيمر خادمها ، فتحدث النساء ، أنها قامت عن حدث.

تعليق العلامة محمد عوامة (حفظه الله):
(٢٦٨٦٢) – الطِّمر : الثوب الخَلق البالي، والأطيمر : تصغير تحقير له، يريد عمر رضي الله عنه : أن تخرج المرأة بحجاب لا يلفت نظر الرجال إليها.