Using 'Itr -

Note: this post is more or less exclusive to men only.

Everybody would like to smell nice. Society applauds those people who maintain a clean appearance. Fragrance (perfume) is also a part of this and is highly revered in the majority of societies. The use of 'itr (perfume) was a very big Sunnah of our beloved Rasul e Paak salallahu alayhi wa salam. Sayyiduna Anas radiallahu anhu used to say,

"I did not smell anything more fragrant than the fragrant smell of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. Its fragrance was better than 'Amber or Musk."

The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam himself was a person who did not need to use perfume as his body was naturally scented. Umm Sulaym radiallahu anha would collect the sweat of Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam in little bottles when he would perspirate in his sleep. When Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam found out, he asked her as to why she did this. She replied that the Sahabah radiallahu anhum used the mubarak sweat of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam as perfume! Another story found in Khasa'is al Kubra that once the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was pelting a person for having committed adultery. As the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam began to pelt, he became very fearful and began to shake. He held onto a young boy who was close to him so that he may help him stand. The young boy narrates the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was sweating profusely that as he was pelting, the sweat came onto the head of the young boy. He continues to say that the sweat of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was the most fragrant thing he had ever smelt and in effect, made his hair smell extremely fragrant too.

Hazrat Thumana ibn Abdullah radiallahu anhu says,

"Anas ibn Malik did not refuse 'itr and used to say that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam never refused (the acceptance of) 'itr."

We should always try our utmost best to be fragrant. Many people get dirty and start to pong but this is against the way of our Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. He would always smell nice and would encourage his companions to do so too. This cleanliness and beautification should always be brought into the masjid! Recently in a talk (can be heard on the side) given my most beloved and respected Sheikh, Hazrat Maulana Abdur Raheem Sahib damat barakatuhum, he mentioned a great point. He said (to the nearest effect),

"If we was to receive an OBE or and MBE we would dress extremely well! We would wear beautiful garments and spray lots of perfume because we have to meet the Queen! But you are in a Masjid! Infront of Allah Ta'ala! And therefore you have to beautify yourself even more!"

May Allah Ta'ala give us the ability to act upon what has been said and bring the Sunnah of Rasul e Paak salallahu alayhi wa salam into our lives also. Ameen.