retain it, in accordance with the authentic Sunnah establishing that the Prophet ﷺ would apply perfume before entering pilgrimage consecration, and that its sheen could then be seen in the partings of his hair after he had entered that state (1). One wording states: “while he was reciting the talbiyah” (2). Another states: “after three” (3). All this refutes the false interpretation advanced by those who say that this occurred before he entered pilgrimage consecration, and that the traces disappeared when he bathed. Another wording states: “When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to enter pilgrimage consecration, he would apply the finest perfume he could find; afterwards, I would see (4) the sheen of the perfume on his head and beard” (5). By Allah, what blind imitation and the defense of opinions do to their adherents!

Others among them said that this was (6) exclusive to him. Two points refute this:

First: a claim of exclusivity cannot be accepted without evidence.

Second: the report narrated by Abū Dāwūd (7) from ʿĀʾishah: “We would set out with the Prophet ﷺ for Mecca and, when entering pilgrimage consecration, coat our foreheads with sukk (8), a fragrant compound. Whenever one of us perspired, it would run over