Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) loved natural perfumes, with his favorites including Oud (Agarwood), Musk, Ambergris, and Roses, often using them in non-alcoholic attars and incense, emphasizing cleanliness and pleasant scents for prayer, with his own body described as having a unique, divine fragrance. He never refused perfume when offered and encouraged its use, particularly before Friday prayers.
In Islam, in particular, the use of attar perfume is Sunnah for men, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him), loved perfumes and good fragrances, especially in their role of upholding the importance of cleanliness in Islam.
Moreover, the prophet Muhammad counsels men and women to use fragrance. Men should bath and perfume themselves for the Friday sermon at the mosque. Women may use perfume at their homes and they both can perfume themselves during sexual intimacy (Thurkill 2009).
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved natural perfumes, especially oudh. He never refused perfume when someone offered it. Many Muslims wear oudh to follow his practice. They apply it before Friday prayer, on Eid, and during special nights like Laylat al-Qadr.
It's reported that Allah's Messenger used oud perfume to fragrance his surroundings, including mosques. He also wore the scent on special religious occasions and let its soothing aroma waft through his home's air. Some traditions narrate that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) referred to oud as a part of Jannah.
Musk was not only a fragrance adored by the Prophet, but it also had cultural and historical significance in the Arabian Peninsula. Another beloved scent of the Prophet was oud, a fragrant wood derived from the agar tree. Oud carries a rich, earthy aroma that has been treasured for centuries.
The Physical Fragrance of the Prophet ﷺ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was a man of extraordinary purity, and this purity manifested in his very body. His natural scent was finer than musk, amber, or any perfume, even when he had not applied fragrance.
Use of Natural Oils
Arabic perfumes differ from Western scents because they depend on natural oils rather than synthetic components and alcohol as their base. Arabic perfume makers obtain natural oils for their scents by sourcing oud, amber, rose, musk, and saffron from their original sources.
Nard Oil has a comforting scent with earthy and woody notes and is known to promote relaxation and emotional grounding. Diffusing Nard Oil has become a popular practice in aromatherapy, offering an aromatic embrace.
Olives and Olive oil
At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah narrated that Abu Hurairah (ra) related from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that he said: “Eat the Zait and use it as an ointment, because it is produced by a blessed tree.” When olive oil is used as a balm, it is known to help fortify the hair.
Fragrance plays a significant role in Islamic tradition. It's not just about smelling good — it's a Sunnah, a reflection of purity, and a form of respect towards others. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had a deep love for perfume, and he encouraged his Ummah to maintain cleanliness and good scent as part of their daily lives.
Wearing perfume aligns with the Sunnah of the Prophet, making it permissible for Muslims. However, there are other factors to consider. Pure perfume oils, known as attars, are allowed in Islam. On the flip side, modern designer and niche perfumes may contain a mix of scented oils and alcohol carriers.
According to Muhammad's teachings, cleanliness is half of faith - so Muslims strive to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness; fragrant perfumes play an integral part in this effort and increase purity in oneself by amplifying one's personal cleanliness.
Halal fragrances are perfumes that are created in accordance with Islamic principles and guidelines, making them permissible for Muslims to use. This means that they must be free from any ingredients that are considered haram or prohibited in Islam, such as alcohol or animal-derived substances.
As a general guideline, perfumes, colognes and Eau de parfum products often contain 70-95% Perfumers Alcohol, with the remaining percentage made up of fragrance or essential oils and any additional ingredients.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned against women wearing perfume and passing by people so that they can smell her fragrance, as it is considered a form of adultery. This hadith serves to remind us of the importance of modesty in our actions and dress code, especially for women.
Spikenard (Nard)
Spikenard is mentioned in the Book of Mark in the New Testament (14:3-9) as the oil a sinner used to anoint the head of Jesus before his crucifixion. It is also cited in John (12:3) and Song of Solomon (14). Ancient Hebrews burned it as incense in the Jerusalem Temple.
Spikenard in modern-day spiritual practices
Today, Spikenard is still widely used in aromatherapy, meditation, and healing practices. Many people turn to it for its ability to: Promote inner peace and emotional grounding. Enhance prayer, meditation, and spiritual rituals.
There's no single "sexiest" scent, as it's subjective, but popular choices often feature warm, rich notes like vanilla, musk, amber, sandalwood, and jasmine, creating alluring, sensual, or comforting feelings, with fragrances like Dior Poison, Tom Ford, Chanel, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Gucci Guilty often mentioned for their seductive appeal. Ultimately, the sexiest scent is one that makes you feel most confident and comfortable.
Musk was not only a fragrance adored by the Prophet, but it also had cultural and historical significance in the Arabian Peninsula. Another beloved scent of the Prophet (S.A.W.) was oud, a fragrant wood derived from the agar tree. Oud carries a rich, earthy aroma that has been treasured for centuries.
Luxury Arabic perfumes, often referred to as oriental perfumes, are crafted with premium, natural ingredients such as oud, amber, musk, incense, and spices. These ingredients give Arabic fragrances exceptional strength and longevity, making them ideal for formal events, celebrations, and long-lasting presence.
Additionally, the Black Stone and the Multazam are perfumed with premium oud oil five times daily, and the covering of the Kaaba is also perfumed. The perfuming process consumes about thirty kg of various types of premium oud oil monthly, and 350 kg annually of various types of premium oud.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the healing properties of olive oil. He said: "Consume olive oil and apply it as an ointment, for it comes from a blessed tree".
As noted, some of his favorite Attars included Musk and Ambergris (Amber). While Attar is Sunnah is Muslim tradition, it is also noted as a holy and soul purifying agent in other religions as well.
Product Summary: Zakat Parfum Z38 3.4oz Eau de Parfum
Z38 by Zakat Parfum opens with refreshing top notes of bergamot and tangerine, leading to a heart of jasmine and lily, and finishes with warm base notes of amber and musk.