Source: Excerpt from the book "Ahkām wa Masā’il Kitāb-o-Sunnat ki Roshni Main" by Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani
What is the ruling regarding a woman wearing perfume and going outside?
If a woman is going to attend a gathering of women, and on the way must pass by areas where men are present, then it is not permissible for her to wear perfume. Similarly, it is not allowed for her to enter markets or public places where men are present while being scented.
This is based on the clear instruction of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
"No woman who has applied perfume should attend the ʿIshā’ prayer with us."
There are several other ḥadīths with similar meaning that prohibit this practice.
One reason for this prohibition is that when a woman wears fragrance and walks through pathways frequented by men, or attends gatherings such as mosques, it becomes a cause of temptation (fitnah).
On the contrary, Islam obligates a woman to:
✔ Uphold modesty and veiling (ḥijāb)
✔ Avoid displaying adornment and beauty in public
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ﴾
“And remain in your homes, and do not display yourselves as was the display of the former days of ignorance.”
[Surah al-Aḥzāb: 33]
Uncovering of the face, hair, or any other beautified part is included in the display of adornment (tabarruj), which is strictly prohibited.
✘ It is impermissible for a woman to wear perfume when going to any public place where non-maḥram men may smell her scent.
✔ This applies to markets, streets, mosques, or any similar location.
✔ She is required to maintain modesty, veil herself, and not attract attention through scent or beauty.
❖ Question:
What is the ruling regarding a woman wearing perfume and going outside?
❖ Answer:
If a woman is going to attend a gathering of women, and on the way must pass by areas where men are present, then it is not permissible for her to wear perfume. Similarly, it is not allowed for her to enter markets or public places where men are present while being scented.
This is based on the clear instruction of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
"No woman who has applied perfume should attend the ʿIshā’ prayer with us."
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb Khurūj al-Nisā’ ilā al-Masājid: Ḥadīth 444
There are several other ḥadīths with similar meaning that prohibit this practice.
❖ Reason for Prohibition:
One reason for this prohibition is that when a woman wears fragrance and walks through pathways frequented by men, or attends gatherings such as mosques, it becomes a cause of temptation (fitnah).
On the contrary, Islam obligates a woman to:
✔ Uphold modesty and veiling (ḥijāb)
✔ Avoid displaying adornment and beauty in public
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ﴾
“And remain in your homes, and do not display yourselves as was the display of the former days of ignorance.”
[Surah al-Aḥzāb: 33]
Uncovering of the face, hair, or any other beautified part is included in the display of adornment (tabarruj), which is strictly prohibited.
Conclusion:
✘ It is impermissible for a woman to wear perfume when going to any public place where non-maḥram men may smell her scent.
✔ This applies to markets, streets, mosques, or any similar location.
✔ She is required to maintain modesty, veil herself, and not attract attention through scent or beauty.
