Fatwa ID: 01696

Answered by Molana Ishaaq Hussain

Question:

Asalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu. I am getting married within few months and I want to purchase perfume for my marriage, but the perfumes available contain alcohol, could you please suggest me some perfumes which are alcohol free. Or please suggest me some criteria’s for purchasing a perfume and my second question is that for reading any tasbeeh do we have to take permission from any alim, like a tasbeeh, which is recited on Friday after asar salat 80 times

 Answer:

Firstly, we will look at the ruling of using perfumes which contain alcohol.

Sayyidna Abu Hurrairah narrates that the Prophet of Allah said: Wine is prepared from the (fruit) of these two trees – date palm and wine. (Sahih Muslim p 163 v 2)

Alcohol extracted from grapes and dates are impure, therefore any sort of consumption from this type of Alcohol is impermissible. The alcohol which is used in perfumes is not extracted from grapes and dates, therefore according to contemporary scholars it will be permissible to use.

 Those Alcohols which are not extracted from dates and grapes are allowed to be used for perfumes and Medicines so as long as they do not reach the level of Intoxication. This is the opinion of Imam Abu Hanifah. This is because alcohol that is used nowadays in perfumes is generally extracted from seeds, honey, chemicals and petrol’s etc. (See Mufti Taqi Uthmani’s (db) Takmilah Fathul Mulhim p 342 v 3)

However, piety is that one avoids using such perfumes where there is a doubt of Alcohol being consumed in it.

Nevertheless, applying perfume is a Sunnah of the Holy Prophet of Allah . In Shariah it is permissible for men and women to apply perfume, however, their circumstances and way of applying is somewhat different. This can be understood from the following Hadeeth.

Sayyidna Abu Hurrairah narrates that the Prophet of Allah said “the scent of men is strong in its odour but light in its colour while the scent of women is strong in its colour but light in its smell.” (Sunan Tirmidhi p 107 v2)

Sayyidna Imran Ibn Hussain narrates that the Prophet of Allah has said “The best of scents for men is that which has a noticeable odour and an unnoticeable colour. And the best of scents for a woman is that which has a noticeable colour but not an noticeable smell.” (Sunan Tirmidhi p 107 v 2)

From the above Ahaadeeth it is important for women to keep in mind these rules. The perfume should not be applied in such a way where it becomes the means of Haraam taking place.

It would be advisable that you use those perfumes which do not contain alcohol as this is much closer to piety. There are many perfumes / Itr out in the market which do not contain Alcohol. It would be preferable and safer that you choose to use Itr (for women) rather than perfumes (non-alcoholic) as there will remain no doubt of Alcohol being used when applying Itr.

Answer 2

Firstly, I would like to mention the Hadeeth you have mentioned.

Sayyidna Abu Hurrairah narrates that the Prophet of Allah said, “Whoever recites durud sharif 80 times on the Day of Jumuah 80 years of his sins will be forgiven.” (Fadhail Durud Sharif, Hadhrat Molana Muhammad Zakariyah (RA), p.70)

It should be borne in mind that weak narrations are not acceptable only in regards to aqeedah and in establishing Shariah rulings.

Scholars such as Imam Ibn Salah and Imam Nawawi have always stated that there is a leeway in quoting weak hadiths in virtues of acts.  Even Imam Bukhari brought weak narrations in his book “Al Adabul Mufrad”, indicating that he also accepts weak narrations in regards to virtues of good deeds.

Secondly, Remembering Allah Ta’ala is a virtuous act which brings one closer to Allah .

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala states in the Holy Quran: “Remember Allah abundantly, in order that you become successful” (Surah Anfaal v. 45)

Allah also mentions in the Holy Quran: “Only in the remembrance of Allah will your heart find peace.” (Surah 13: Verse 28)

With regards to your question, it is not necessary that you seek permission from a Aalim or a scholar to do Zikr.

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Molana Ishaaq Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.