GOOD SMELL AND BEAUTIFUL FRAGNANCE

In the name of the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful Allah

Alhamdulillah, who created aroma and sweet scents 🌹.

وَالْحَبُّ ذُو الْعَصْفِ وَالرَّيْحَانُ

And grain having husks and scented plants. (Surah Ar Rahman, 55:12)

In plants, and fruits, in fragrance and in musk 🌸.

خِتَامُهُ مِسْكٌ ۚ وَفِي ذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَتَنَافَسِ الْمُتَنَافِسُونَ

The sealing of it [drink in paradise] is musk; so for this then let the competitors compete (83:26)

Dear Muslims, Islam teaches us good virtues and pure characteristics. It guides to the most beautiful 🏵️ paths. The Prophet ﷺ was sent to purify souls, to make lawful to them the good, and to make unlawful to them the filthy.

وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ

He makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. (7:157)

Islam has given importance to having good odor ❤️.

The Messengers of God, peace be upon them, all had the practice to wear perfume.

أَرْبَعٌ مِنْ سُنَنِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ الْحَيَاءُ وَالتَّعَطُّرُ وَالسِّوَاكُ وَالنِّكَاحُ

Four are from the practices of the Messengers: Modesty, wearing fragrance, siwak (toothstick🪥) and marriage. (Tirmizi 1080, Hasan (fair) - Suyuti)

Brushing one’s teeth 🪥, thus maintaining good oral smell has been given great importance. The Prophet ﷺ said:

السِّوَاكُ مَطْهَرَةٌ لِلْفَمِ مَرْضَاةٌ لِلرَّبِّ

Siwak (toothstick) is a purifier for the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord. (Nasa'i 5, Sahih - Darussalam)

One may use the siwak (or modern day toothbrush and paste) when entering the home, after waking up, when performing wudu, etc.

Islam teaches cleanliness after going to the washroom 🚻 and in general, thus minimizing bad odor. Allah says:

فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا ۚ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ

Within it are men who love to purify themselves; and Allah loves those who purify themselves. (9:108)

This refers to some people who used to wash themselves with water after defecating. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, quoting hadith in Ahmad and Ibn Khuzaymah)

When people visit mosques 🕌, they should pay attention to the odor of their mouths. The Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ أَكَلَ الْبَصَلَ وَالثُّومَ وَالْكُرَّاثَ - فَلاَ يَقْرَبَنَّ مَسْجِدَنَا فَإِنَّ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ تَتَأَذَّى مِمَّا يَتَأَذَّى مِنْهُ بَنُو آدَمَ

He who eats onion and garlic and leek, should not approach our mosque (because of bad odor that emanates from the mouth) for indeed the angels are harmed by the same things as the children of Adam. (Muslim 564c)

The human soul is naturally inclined to good smells and odor and repulsed from bad ones. Couples ❤️ should pay due importance to this, for continued love and harmony between them, and everyone in general. A believer should adhere to the guidance brought by the Messenger ﷺ, to live fulfilling, beautiful and exemplary lives.

And Alhamdulillah, who taught us 📖 what we did not know.

كَمَا عَلَّمَكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ

As He has taught you that which you did not know. (2:239)