Chapter: Dislike of Refusing Rayḥān (Sweet-Smelling Herbs) without a Valid Excuse

1786 – Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever is offered some rayḥān should not turn it down, for it is light to carry and pleasant in scent.” Narrated by Muslim.

1787 – Anas ibn Mālik reported that the Prophet ﷺ never refused perfume. Narrated by al-Bukhārī.

Explanation

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—entitles this chapter “The Dislike of Refusing Rayḥān.” Rayḥān is a kind of fragrance, and, as the Prophet ﷺ described, it is light to bear and sweet to smell. The Prophet ﷺ instructed us not to reject it. The author also cites, in the narration collected by al-Bukhārī, that the Prophet ﷺ would never turn away perfume.

Fragrance undoubtedly lifts the spirit, opens the chest, broadens the heart, and gladdens one’s company. For this reason the Prophet ﷺ was fond of pleasant scents and even said, “From your worldly life, fragrance and women have been made beloved to me, and the coolness of my eyes has been placed in the prayer.” Therefore, a person should make use of