48/37. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5128 — Perfume Before Isha Prayer
Prohibition of Women Attending the Prayer if they Have Perfumed Themselves with Incense
Hadith About Perfume and Attending Isha Prayer
Sunan an-Nasai : 5128
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5128
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ هِشَامِ بْنِ عِيسَى الْبَغْدَادِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَلْقَمَةَ الْفَرْوِيُّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي يَزِيدُ بْنُ خُصَيْفَةَ، عَنْ بُسْرِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَيُّمَا امْرَأَةٍ أَصَابَتْ بَخُورًا فَلاَ تَشْهَدْ مَعَنَا الْعِشَاءَ الآخِرَةَ " . قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ لاَ أَعْلَمُ أَحَدًا تَابَعَ يَزِيدَ بْنَ خُصَيْفَةَ عَنْ بُسْرِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَلَى قَوْلِهِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ . وَقَدْ خَالَفَهُ يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الأَشَجِّ رَوَاهُ عَنْ زَيْنَبَ الثَّقَفِيَّةِ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'If a woman has perfumed herself with incense, let her not attend 'Isha' prayer.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5128In-book reference : Book 48, Hadith 89English translation : Vol. 6, Book 48, Hadith 5131
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5128
This hadith speaks about a woman who has perfumed herself with incense. The Messenger of Allah SAW said that she should not attend the later 'Isha' prayer with the Muslims in that state. The core topic is perfume before prayer outside the home, especially the night prayer mentioned in the text. The hadith does not speak about every possible use of incense. It speaks about attending 'Isha' after being scented with it. For readers searching “hadith about perfume and Isha prayer,” the teaching is easy to understand: when going to public prayer, avoid fragrance that others may notice. The command helps the worshipper think about the people around her as she prepares to pray.
What we learn from this hadith
- A woman scented with incense was told not to attend the later 'Isha' prayer in that state.
- The hadith connects public prayer attendance with avoiding noticeable fragrance.
- The wording is about incense and 'Isha', so the lesson should stay within that setting.
- Preparation for prayer includes care about how one affects people nearby.
