Islam and perfumery ( the role of oud in our lives =)

[russian adam]

my dear friends I wanted to share few thoughts on the role of oud oil (and other perfume oils and incense too) in our life…
is it something something insignificant or the other way round???
well... i honestly belive that all of us were created for that purpose... :)
oh yes.. you may think i am mad but let me try to explain.
i will share with you what is the role of oud oil according to islamic way of life...
I don't say religion because the meaning of this word is narrow and it also has been misused alot.
so yes islam is the way of life when you follow certain guidelines sent down by the God Almighty, the One who sent down all the sacred scriptures to mesangers like Muses, Jesus and the final one Muhammad.
in this scripture, chapter 51 God tells us ( translation of the meaning) :
" I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me. "
so the purpose of our lives is to worship God Almighty alone following the way of all His messangers. however word worship is again has limited meaning in English.
sure it means to perform daily prayers in acordance to the way that God showed us trough His messanger but also it has much deeper meaning. some of the scholars of islam while analyzing authentic sayings of the final messanger came to the conclusion that the worship is every single thing that pleases God Almighty.
Every single deed that He justifyed and informed us to do and encourage others to do.
So all beautiful things ( if performed for the sake of God alone ) such as our prayers, words praising Him, good behaviour, good morals, respect towards members of our families, neighbours, all people, even animals, cleanliness, wearing beautiful cloth and the best perfume are considered to be worship of the God Almighty and it is the reason why human beings were created!
:)
so yes ... wearing beautiful oud oil is one of the resons why we were created.

[Yudha]

Sunnah of Applying Fragrance / Itr - ZIKR

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) liked aromatic things and perfume, he used them himself and recommended their use to others. On waking up he would relieve himself, perform Wudhu, and apply fragrance on his clothing. If fragrance was presented to him, he would never refuse it. He would use perfume at night too, especially on Fridays for Jumu'ah prayers.
Naf'i (may Allah be pleased with him) said that ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) would at times burn only 'Ud and at times he would use 'Ud and Camphor and say, 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would do this.' To use any fragrance that burns like incense sticks or loban is permissible. If you burn these with the intention of the Sunnah then you will be rewarded for that . The Scholars say that 'Ud opens the clogs and does away with gas; it also dries away unnecessary moisture while strengthening the intestines and brings relief and comfort to the heart. It helps the mind, sharpens the senses, constipates and helps relieve the enuresis, bed wetting that result from coldness of the prostrate.

'Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that she used to perfume the Messenger of Allah's (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) with the best scent available until he saw the shine of the scent on his head and bear.

Natural smell A sweet fragrance was naturally emitted from the blessed body of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). In a narration Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that, 'I did not smell anything more fragrant than the fragrance of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). The fragrance was better than Amber and Musk'. Subhanallah!

Jabir Ibn Samura (may Allah be pleased with him) said that, 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) touched my cheek and I felt a cool sensation and his hand were scented. It was as if he had taken his hand from a bag of perfumes.' Subhanallah! This was the natural fragrant from the Prophet's (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) hands.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) slept on a rug in the house of Anas (may Allah be please with him) and being very warm he perspired. Anas's (may Allah be pleased with him) mother brought a long necked bottle in which to put his blessed perspiration. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked her about this. She said, 'We put it in our perfume and it is the most fragrant of scents.' Subhanallah!

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, 'I have never smelt any 'Itr or fragrance better than the fragrance of the Messenger of Allah's (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) blessed perspiration.'

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) states that when a companion would desire to visit the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and would not find him, they would track him by his fragrance in the streets.

Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that, 'When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) went down the road, anyone who had followed him knew that he had passed that way because of his scent.'

If the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) shook hands with a man, his beautiful scent would remain on that man's hand for the rest of the day, and if he placed his hand on the head of a child, that child would stand out from others by virtue of his sweet fragrance.

Umme Salma (may Allah be pleased with her) reported to have said, 'When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) left this world I placed my hand on his chest. Many weeks have passed and I eat and wash this hand yet the fragrance still remains. Subhanallah!

Spend a third on 'Itr 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say that, 'Whoever spends a third of his wealth on 'Itr is not being extravagant.'

Once the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) blew (for blessing) on his palm and wiped it over the back and stomach of 'Uqbah (may Allah be pleased with him) as he complained of an illness to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). It became so fragrant, and as he had four wives, everyone put on so much perfume, to equal that fragrance, but it could not overcome the fragrance that 'Uqbah had.

Do not refuse 'Itr Thumaamah bin 'Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that, 'Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) did not refuse perfume, and would say that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) never refused (the acceptance of) perfume.'

Azra bin Thabit Al Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, 'When I went to Thumama bin 'Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) he gave me some perfume and said, that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) would not reject the gifts of perfume.' Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would not reject the gifts of perfume.' When someone offers us any fragrance do not refuse, if you don't want any then just take a small amount and you will get the reward of following the Sunnah.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, 'Whosoever is presented with Raihan should not refuse it, because it is easy to wear and has a good scent.'

Fragrance form Paradise Abu Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) states from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that, 'Whosoever is offered Raihaan (name of a fragrance) do not reject it as this is from Jannah (paradise).'

Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) says that, 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, 'Three things should not be refused: a pillow, fragrance ('Itr-oil), or milk.'' These three items are usually cheap and easy to give as a gift. The scholars say that if someone gives you these three items then do not refuse them as it could break the heart of the person giving it. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not like to break anyone's heart or feelings.

'Aisha (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, 'I would put a lot of fragrance on the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) to the extent that you could see the shine on his blessed forehead and blessed beard.' We find from this hadith that to apply 'Itr on the beard is the Sunnah.

The smell from the Rose The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, 'When I was taken into the sky then the earth started to cry because of my separation. When I was coming back from the ascension then my perspiration dripped on the earth, from which a red rose grew, whosoever wants to smell my fragrance, smell a red rose.' Subhanallah!

Use 'Itr without Alcohol We should also use 'Itr to follow the sweet Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Let's start this from today and stop using other things that can be very expensive and contain alcohol. Make it a regular habit to rub perfume on Fridays when going for Jumu'ah prayer too.

Imam Shafi'i (may Allah's mercy be upon him) states that four things make the body strong; eating meat, using scent, bathing and putting on linen clothes.

Women & perfume
Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) has related the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, 'An eye that looks at an unknown man or woman (with evil intent) commits adultery and a women who perfumes herself and then passes by a gathering of men is no better.'
Allahu Akbar! If a woman applies any scent and a man can smell it, then it attracts him towards adultery, hence, for women to apply perfume of any type is unlawful. However, if applying to please her husband in her home only then that is encouraged.

Maymuna bint Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, 'Allah (The Exalted) remains displeased with a woman who emerges from her home wearing perfume and gives men the opportunity to look at her, until she returns home.'

The Scholars say that fragrance is the fuel of the soul, which is the engine of the powers of the body. Therefore, various strengths and powers in the body are nurtured in the presence of fragrance.

Fragrance for men & women
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) has related that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has said, 'The perfume for men is that whose odour is apparent but whose colour is hidden and the perfume for the women is those whose colour is apparent but whose odour is hidden like henna and saffron.'
It is forbidden for men and children to use henna except on the hair and the beard. It is forbidden for females to use fragrance of any type.

Manners of 'Itr

1. To apply 'Itr on the hair and beard is Sunnah.
2. To apply 'Itr at night and before Jumu'ah prayers is a Sunnah.
3. One should not refuse 'Itr when offered.
4. To use 'Itr of Raihan and 'Ud is Sunnah.
5. Women should not use 'Itr or any perfumes but apply Henna.
6. One should not use a fragrance that contains unlawful ingredient or alcohol.
7. To burn 'Ud and Camphor is a Sunnah.

http://www.zikr.co.uk/content/view/70/111/

[AMAR_420]

Yes the Arabs used many fragrance in history. Also oud, ofcourse. Most came from India by sea traders settling on coast of Saudi and Gulf.

[AMAR_420]

Reyhan is basil. Also the classical Arabic scents used to be the frankincense (loban) and (taifi) rose. The rest was all imported.
Basil is also native to India.

But I'm not sure the Arabs were the one first using whale ambergris. I always was under the impression ambergris was first used in Middle East as perfuming ingredient. I could be wrong but I can't find many sources on the history of the use of ambergris in perfumery. If anyone has links to the subject feel free to post them.

Who knows, maybe the Europeans used to know and use ambergris before the Arabs?

[eddeyboub]

Thanks a lot for the informations its very interesting source of knowledge :)

@Yudha "The smell from the Rose The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, 'When I was taken into the sky then the earth started to cry because of my separation. When I was coming back from the ascension then my perspiration dripped on the earth, from which a red rose grew, whosoever wants to smell my fragrance, smell a red rose.' Subhanallah!"

That hadith doesn't seem to have a solid chain of narration nor considered reliable (saheeh)? Just saying it to avoid it being spread in case...

I did some quick research on rose and sunnah, and I couldn't find anything solid. I read somewhere that the Prophet pbuh used to like the smell of roses but there wasn't anything that I could find that proves it.

Don't see that as an attack at all: I love rose, and I would love to know that its something that our beloved Prophet pbuh used to love, its just that I didn't find any solid source so far. Would love to hear if other people find anything.

[sultanpasha]

MASHALLAH! A beautiful thread indeed to enlighten our mind, body and soul.

[Yudha]

The Red Rose; a Gift from the Night Ascension of the Messenger of Allah Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him

The Rose, a creation which grants delight to all those who cast their glance upon it and delight to all those who seek its fragrance yet perceive it not. A creation which grants solace in times of loss and anguish as much as it bequeaths joy in times of jubilation. The beauty of its form allures all those beloved, and one appreciative sniff of its fragrance infatuates even the sternest of creation. We find that the works of the traditional doctors and scholars of Islam are laden with passages on the Rose, for it serves more than a mere aesthetic pleasantry; the scholars have long marvelled at its curative potency and ability to heal even the most detrimental of illnesses. Shaykh Muhammad Umar al-Tunsi, one of the leading botanists of his time, writes extensively on the Rose and its subsequent types in his work Kitab al-Nabat. He begins with a generic summary of the Rose as the world knows it and then goes on to mention specific species of this magnificent plant; namely the ‘Damascene Rose’ and the ‘French Rose’. About the former he writes:

“The Damascene Rose by origin grows in Sham and is planted in gardens for the beauty of its sight, the delight of its fragrance and the blossom of its red petals. This type of rose has been named ‘The Faded Rose’ for when picked its fragrance ceases. Its taste is ever so slightly bitter and it acts as a light laxative.

It should be employed as a laxative for small children and can also be used in ointments and can be pressed to excrete a most beneficial liquid which is used in drops. It is also used in most medicines which are consumed orally to rectify external and internal illnesses.”

Imam Abd al-Wahhab al-Sha’rani, may Allah sanctify his noble secret, one of the luminaries of the Ahl al-Sunnah and a literary marvel in the dominion of the Sufis, prescribes the usage of rose petals for several different illnesses in his abridgment of al-Suwaydi’s Tadhkirah fi al-Tib. To give but one example:

Whoever is inflicted by a headache caused by intense heat should:

Bandage his head with bandages soaked in fresh rose, or alternatively cover his head with fresh rose petals.
Inhale the fragrance of fresh rose.
Boil dried rose petals in water and then apply to the forehead.
Despite the rose’s foundational relevance within our history, many Muslims remain oblivious to its merit and reverence within Islam. Many people associate the rose with European Christian tradition, yet the Damascene Rose only reached their shores in the 12th Century after the crusaders tore them up in their thousands from Damascus and took them back to their lands, and by the 14th Century it arrived at France impregnating a sudden surge in the Perfumes Market. Yet, the Rose was a flower used by the Muslims both in their medicine and for aesthetic delight; for when the crusaders were expelled from al-Quds al-Sharif by Sayyiduna Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, he ordered 500 camel loads of Damascene Rose Water to cleanse the Masjid of Sayyiduna Umar b. al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him).

But what is it that gives the Rose its grandeur and beauty? What is it that makes the Rose a creation of such merit and causes its veneration by thousands of Muslims; scholars and laymen alike? The answer, simply put, is that the Rose is a flower that has been granted nobility by Allah and His messengers, and particularly the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him). Dawud al-Antaki a 19th Century Doctor whose works suggest an esoteric tendency, writes in his renowned guide to medicine Tadhkirah Uwlil alBab:

“The Rose is the light of every plant… It has been said that it is the bush which Musa was addressed from, and is the bush which forms the foliage around Bayt al-Maqdis.”

However, far greater of a merit of the blessed Rose can be ascertained from the narrations relating to its noble origin. Al-Sakhawi records in his al-Maqasid al-Hasana that Abu al-Farj narrates on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

“When I was ascended with into the heavens, the earth cried after me and brought forth a hill by merit of its weeping. When I returned, a drop of my perspiration fell upon the ground and brought forth a red rose. Whoever wishes to smell my fragrance should smell a red rose.”

Abu al-Farj commented:

“Whatever has come by way of this narration is but a fraction of that which Allah ennobled His Prophet with, and it indicates upon his merit and the loftiness of his rank. Its meaning has been reported to us by several paths, yet we have presented but this one.”

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haq Muhaddith al-Dehlawi states that the remarks of the Hadith scholars are true, yet the merit of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) is a truth beyond all truths. It is for this reason, Imam Abu al-Farh Harwani (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) states that whatever has been mentioned in these narrations is but a droplet from the ocean of the merit of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) which Allah bestowed upon him.

The narration of the Rose is but a drop from an ocean of magnificent realities which remind us that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) is the source of all beauty and his beauty is the cure to all diseases. The rose which kindles love and grants life to bodies once dead, has only been granted the merit to do so because it is a gift from the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) to this earth. The rose which teaches man of grandeur and beauty only reflects but a fraction of the beauty of the blessed perspiration of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him). Thus, the rose is not a universal symbol of love and beauty, but is a direct source for us to seek out a path towards his love and beauty, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

”Of the fragrance of a rose red do our hearts forever keep

For the beauty of mercy manifest did the earth beneath us weep

Sanctified is the night when Jibril was the servant of his master

Forever we seek the beauty of al-Mustafa not only here but in the here after.”

A few words written in but a few moments, but written for the one for whom time itself is a slave.

Seeking the fragrance of the Beloved (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

By Ustadh Muhammad Danyaal

Released By:

Seeker Of The Sacred Knowledge | http://seekerofthesacredknowledge.wordpress.com/

[ionone]

nuff said

[HabibiGotIt]

Haha this is a great thread. Mashallah!

[Castingshadows]

Haha this is a great thread. Mashallah!

You missed out on all the islamaphobia from Ionone alittle while back. Thankfully the mods deleted everyone calling him out but felt it was nice to leave up his “nuff said” remarks.