18/9. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 938e — No Perfume or Collyrium During Iddah
The Obligation to mourn during the 'Iddah following the death of one's husband, but it is forbidden to mourn for more than three days in other cases
Hadith About No Perfume or Collyrium During Iddah
Sahih Muslim : 938e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 938e
وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الرَّبِيعِ الزَّهْرَانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ، عَنْ حَفْصَةَ، عَنْ أُمِّ عَطِيَّةَ، قَالَتْ كُنَّا نُنْهَى أَنْ نُحِدَّ عَلَى مَيِّتٍ فَوْقَ ثَلاَثٍ إِلاَّ عَلَى زَوْجٍ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا وَلاَ نَكْتَحِلُ وَلاَ نَتَطَيَّبُ وَلاَ نَلْبَسُ ثَوْبًا مَصْبُوغًا وَقَدْ رُخِّصَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ فِي طُهْرِهَا إِذَا اغْتَسَلَتْ إِحْدَانَا مِنْ مَحِيضِهَا فِي نُبْذَةٍ مِنْ قُسْطٍ وَأَظْفَارٍ .
Umm 'Atiyya ('Allah be pleased with her) said: We were forbidden to observe mourning for the dead beyond three days except in the case of husband (where it is permissible) for four months and ten days, and (that during this period) we should neither use collyrium nor touch perfume, nor wear dyed clothes, but concession was given to a woman when one of us was purified of our courses to make use of a little incense or scent.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 938eIn-book reference : Book 18, Hadith 87USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 9, Hadith 3552
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 938e
This hadith about no perfume or collyrium during iddah is narrated by Umm Atiyya. She says they were forbidden to mourn the dead beyond three days except for a husband, where the period is four months and ten days. During that period, the text says they should not use collyrium, touch perfume, or wear dyed clothes. It also mentions that a concession was given when one of them became purified after her courses and washed, allowing a little incense or scent. This narration is practical because it lists specific outward actions connected to mourning. The meaning should not be stretched beyond these points, as the hadith itself names the acts and the time period.
What we learn from this hadith
- Mourning beyond three days is forbidden except for a husband in this text.
- The widow’s period is four months and ten days.
- The report mentions avoiding collyrium, perfume, and dyed clothing.
- A limited allowance is mentioned after purification and washing.
