Perfume That Smells like Wine
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
I have a perfume that smells good. People describe some of the smell notes as ‘port wine smell’. Since it isn’t wine and I’m not drinking it, is it okay to use this perfume, even though it may smell like port wine? Also, this is a subjective view of the smell since different websites describe the smell notes differently. Is liking/enjoying the smell of wine or alcohol generally forbidden or disliked?
Answer
I pray you are well.
If the perfume doesn’t have any impermissible ingredients it would be permissible to use it. However, it is much better if you don’t.
Wine is has been forbidden by Allah and the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) told us Allah has cursed it: “Allah has cursed wine, its drinker, its pourer, its seller, its buyer, those who press it, those who it’s pressed for, those who carry it, and those who it is carried to.” (Bukhari)
Therefore, it is something hated by Allah, and a believer strives to shun the things Allah hates. Even though you enjoyment of the smell of the perfume is subjective, the smell itself is objectively that of this filthy liquid. After reading the about hadith, would you want to stand in prayer before Allah wearing it?
I advise you to not wear it and to ask Allah to make you love what He loves and hate what He hates. That will be better for you in the long term.
May Allah bless you with the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh]Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.
