Wearing perfume with the intention of attracting non-mahram men can be considered a form of zina in Islamic teachings.
Here's a breakdown of the Islamic perspective:
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Hadith Prohibition: A well-known hadith states: “Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance is a zaaniyah (adulteress/committing zina).” This hadith, narrated by Imam Ahmad and al-Nasaa'i and classed as hasan by al-Albaani, highlights the prohibition.
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Intention Matters: The key element is the intention. If a woman wears perfume for her husband or within her home with other women, it is generally permissible and even encouraged. However, wearing it with the explicit intention of attracting the attention and desires of men outside her permitted circle (non-mahram) is what leads to the prohibition.
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Zina of the Senses: In Islam, zina is not just limited to physical acts of adultery or fornication. It includes the "zina of the eyes" (looking with lust), "zina of the ears" (listening to forbidden things), and so on. Wearing perfume to incite desire falls under this broader understanding of zina, as it is an action that can lead to temptation and potentially more significant transgressions.
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Protecting Society: The prohibition is ultimately rooted in protecting society from fitnah (temptation, discord) and preserving modesty and chastity. By discouraging women from deliberately attracting men's attention through scent, the Islamic teachings aim to foster a more virtuous and respectful environment.
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Context is Important: It is crucial to consider the cultural context and how the perfume is worn. If the scent is very mild and unintentional, it might not fall under the same prohibition as deliberately wearing a strong fragrance with the intent to attract. The level of scent and its impact are important factors.
In conclusion, while simply wearing perfume isn't automatically considered zina, doing so with the intention of attracting non-mahram men and inciting desire is strongly discouraged and considered a form of zina in Islamic teachings. The intention behind the act is a critical factor.
