Dr Muhammad Ahmad Al-Musayyar, professor of Islamic creed and philosophy at Al-Azhar University states: “It is unanimously agreed upon among Muslim scholars that it is forbidden for pilgrims in the state of ihram to wear perfume during Hajj or `Umrah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, “What clothes may be worn in the state of ihram?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “Do not wear a sewn shirt or trousers, or any headgear (e.g., a turban), or a hooded cloak; but if somebody has no shoes he can wear leather stockings provided they are cut short off the ankles, and also, do not wear anything perfumed with wars (kind of perfume) or saffron.”
This hadith contains the restrictions that men in the state of ihram are required to avoid. By stating that men in the state of ihram are prohibited to wear sewn shirts or trousers, he (peace and blessings be upon him) also meant that anything of the kind, i.e., any sewn clothes, is also forbidden for men during ihram. Likewise, by referring to the prohibition of wearing headgear or hooded cloaks, he (peace and blessings be upon him) alluded to the prohibition for men of wearing any kind of head cover during ihram. Similarly, prohibiting wearing anything perfumed with wars and saffron refers to the prohibition of wearing all kinds of fragrance.
Hence, it is unlawful for men in the state of ihram to put perfume on their bodies or clothes. A pilgrim who does so has to get rid of the fragrance either by washing his body or clothes. This is because wearing perfume is a symbol of enjoying a worldly thing, and this contradicts the very theme of Hajj, which is to consider the Day of Judgment and the scene of people on being brought to account for their deeds then.
As regards the questioner’s attitude, he may still wonder if he is required to expiate for what he has done or not.
`Ata’ Ath-Thawri, Ash-Shafi`i, and other prominent scholars were of the opinion that if one wears perfume during Hajj out of forgetfulness or out of not knowing that it is forbidden to do so during Hajj, one is not required to expiate for this; all one is required to do in that regard is to get rid of the fragrance as soon as possible. Allah Almighty says: ‘And there is no sin for you in the mistakes that ye make unintentionally, but what your hearts purpose (that will be a sin for you). Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.’ (Al-Ahzab: 5)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said, “(People of) my nation will not be brought to account for what they have done due to unintentional mistake or forgetfulness.”
Imam Malik said that a pilgrim who puts on perfume during Hajj out of forgetfulness is not required to expiate for this if he gets rid of the fragrance as soon as he has remembered; but if he remembered and yet remained wearing it for a long time, he is required then to expiate.
Anyway, the expiation consists of sacrificing an animal, or fasting three days (consecutively or separately), or feeding six poor persons out of the average food people usually have (or giving them what equals this in money). The pilgrim who is to expiate can choose any of the above expiations that best suits his circumstances.”
Wearing Perfume out of forgetfulness during Hajj
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