48/32. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5118 — Scent and Color in Perfume
The Difference Between Perfumes for Men and Perfumes for Women
Perfume for Men and Women Hadith Explained Simply
Sunan an-Nasai : 5118
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5118
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ الرَّقِّيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ الْفِرْيَابِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الْجُرَيْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي نَضْرَةَ، عَنِ الطُّفَاوِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " طِيبُ الرِّجَالِ مَا ظَهَرَ رِيحُهُ وَخَفِيَ لَوْنُهُ وَطِيبُ النِّسَاءِ مَا ظَهَرَ لَوْنُهُ وَخَفِيَ رِيحُهُ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet [SAW] said: "The perfume for men is that whose scent is apparent while its color is hidden, and the perfume for women is that whose color is apparent, while its scent is hidden."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5118In-book reference : Book 48, Hadith 79English translation : Vol. 6, Book 48, Hadith 5121
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5118
This perfume for men and women hadith repeats the Prophet’s statement with a connected chain from Abu Hurairah. The wording says that the perfume for men is what has an apparent scent while its color is hidden. It then says that perfume for women is what has an apparent color while its scent is hidden. The main point is the difference between fragrance and color. The narration does not discuss brands, modern products, or extra rules in this wording. So the explanation should stay simple: men’s perfume is described by noticeable smell without visible color, while women’s perfume is described by visible color with hidden scent. This keeps the hadith clear and easy to follow.
What we learn from this hadith
- Men’s perfume is described as having apparent scent.
- Men’s perfume is described as having hidden color.
- Women’s perfume is described as having apparent color.
- Women’s perfume is described as having hidden scent.
