36/19. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4002 — Perfume and Mosque Prayer
The tribulation of women
Hadith About Women Wearing Perfume to the Mosque
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4002
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4002
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ عَاصِمٍ، عَنْ مَوْلَى أَبِي رُهْمٍ، - وَاسْمُهُ عُبَيْدٌ - أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، لَقِيَ امْرَأَةً مُتَطَيِّبَةً تُرِيدُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمَةَ الْجَبَّارِ أَيْنَ تُرِيدِينَ قَالَتِ الْمَسْجِدَ قَالَ وَلَهُ تَطَيَّبْتِ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ . قَالَ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ " أَيُّمَا امْرَأَةٍ تَطَيَّبَتْ ثُمَّ خَرَجَتْ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ لَمْ تُقْبَلْ لَهَا صَلاَةٌ حَتَّى تَغْتَسِلَ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah met a woman who was wearing perfume and heading for the mosque. He said: “O slavewoman of the Compeller, where are you headed?” She said: “To the mosque.” He said: “And have you put on perfume for that?” She said: “Yes.” He said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Any woman who puts on perfume then goes out to the mosque, no prayer will be accepted from her until she takes a bath.’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4002In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 77English translation : Vol. 5, Book 36, Hadith 4002
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4002
This Hadith about women wearing perfume to the mosque gives a direct warning about perfume, prayer, and mosque etiquette. Abu Hurairah met a woman who had put on perfume and was going to the mosque. When she said that she had worn it for that purpose, he quoted the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: any woman who puts on perfume and goes out to the mosque will not have her prayer accepted until she takes a bath. The wording is strong, so the explanation should stay close to the text. The Hadith teaches that worship is not only about reaching the mosque. It also includes how a person goes there, what attention they draw, and whether their outward state fits the humility of prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- Going to the mosque should be done with modesty and care.
- The Hadith gives a clear warning about perfume worn when going out to the mosque.
- Prayer is connected to outward conduct as well as the act itself.
- A person should avoid what may draw improper attention in a worship setting.
