into the water, and since the substance is slight while the water is abundant, it is absorbed and leaves absolutely no trace; therefore, he has not broken his oath, because it has been consumed and its effect, taste, and colour have disappeared. Evidence for this is the saying of the Messenger ﷺ: “Water is purifying, and nothing renders it impure except that which predominates over its taste, colour, or smell through an impurity that occurs in it.” (1)
From this we know that, regarding perfumes said to have been mixed with alcohol—intoxicating substances—if that mixture is only a negligible amount, it has no effect. Thus, it does not make the perfume wine, nor does it render it impure—according to the view of those who regard it as impure—although the correct view is that wine is not intrinsically impure in the first place.
If someone raises the following question concerning the last issue: What are we to make of the Messenger’s ﷺ saying, “That whose large quantity intoxicates, its small quantity is prohibited,” (2) and his saying, “That of which a faraq intoxicates, then a handful of it is prohibited”? (3)
(1) Reported by Ibn Majah in al-Taharah wa-Sunaniha (Purification and Its Sunnahs), chapter: “Cisterns” (521); and by al-Tabarani in al-Kabir, 8/104, on the authority of Abu Umamah al-Bahili (may Allah be pleased with him). Al-Daraqutni also reported it from the hadith of Thawban, omitting the words “or its color,” 1/28. See al-Talkhis al-Habir, 1/15, and al-Khulasah, 1/8.
(2) Reported by Ahmad, 2/91; al-Nasai in al-Ashribah (Drinks), chapter: “The Prohibition of Every Drink Whose Large Amount Intoxicates,” 8/300-301; Abu Dawud in al-Ashribah, chapter: “The Prohibition of Intoxicants” (3681); al-Tirmidhi in al-Ashribah, chapter: “What Has Been Reported Regarding That Whose Large Amount Intoxicates: Its Small Amount Is Forbidden” (1865); Ibn Majah in al-Ashribah, chapter: “That Whose Large Amount Intoxicates: Its Small Amount Is Forbidden” (3392); and al-Hakim, 3/467. Al-Tirmidhi graded it hasan (sound), while Ibn Hibban authenticated it (5358), as did al-Albani in al-Irwa (2375). See also al-Talkhis (1787).
(3) Reported by Ahmad, 6/71; Abu Dawud in al-Ashribah, chapter: “What Has Been Reported Regarding Intoxication” (3687); and al-Tirmidhi in al-Ashribah, chapter: “What Has Been Reported Regarding That Whose Large Amount Intoxicates: Its Small Amount Is Forbidden,” on the authority of Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her). Al-Tirmidhi graded it hasan (sound), while Ibn Hibban authenticated it (5359), al-Dawliyya edition; Ibn al-Mulaqqin likewise authenticated it, as cited in al-Khulasah (2444); and it was also authenticated in al-Irwa (2376).