Katrina Rosales
Incense has been used in religious contexts for thousands of years, and its use is prevalent in many cultures and religions. In Islam, the use of incense is a topic of discussion and holds a rich tradition. While there is no authentic evidence suggesting burning incense at home or near graves, the use of incense and perfume is encouraged in mosques and Muslim societies. The Prophet Muhammad is said to have loved incense, and it is considered permissible to use it for pleasant smells, although it is not to be associated with any wrong beliefs or superstitions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense in Islam | It is permissible to burn incense in Islam as long as it is for the purpose of creating pleasant smells. |
| Burning incense in mosques | It is recommended to burn incense in mosques as it is considered a sacred act of purification. |
| Burning incense in houses | It is permissible to burn incense in houses for pleasant smells, but it should not be associated with wrong beliefs or specific prohibitions. |
| Burning incense to expel evil spirits | Burning incense to expel evil spirits is considered a superstition and a wrong belief in Islam. |
| Burning incense on Fridays | There is no evidence that Prophet Muhammad specified Friday for burning incense. |
| Burning incense for women | Women are prohibited from burning incense and going out in public if their fragrance is strong. |
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What You'll Learn
- Incense is permissible in Islam as long as it is used for pleasant smells
- It is recommended to perfume mosques with incense
- Burning incense is prohibited for women if they will be going out in public
- The Prophet spoke of the healing properties of different incenses
- Burning incense is not believed to expel evil spirits or forces
Incense is permissible in Islam as long as it is used for pleasant smells
The use of incense is permissible in Islam as long as it is used for pleasant smells. While there is no authentic evidence of burning incense in a home or near graves, the use of perfume is encouraged in Islam. The Prophet is known to have filled every space he entered with the scent of roses, and Imam Ali is said to have done the same with the scent of jasmine. Pilgrims to the Ghar-e Hira, where the Prophet received the first revelation, have described the place as being filled with a sweet fragrance.
The Prophet is also known to have spoken of the healing properties of different incenses, stating that Indian incense (al-‘ud al-Hindi) contains healing for seven different ailments, including a respiratory illness. According to the Prophet, even paradise has a scent like "sweet basil waving in the breeze". The use of incense to perfume mosques is also a recommended act in Islam.
However, it is important to note that burning incense for women is prohibited, especially if they will be going out where many people will smell the strong fragrance on them. While incense can be used to enjoy pleasant smells, it should not be associated with wrong beliefs or specific prohibitions. For example, using incense to expel evil spirits or seeking blessings from it is considered an innovation, superstition, and Shirk-rela.
In conclusion, the use of incense in Islam is permissible as long as it is used for the right purposes and with the correct intentions. The sense of scent is important in Islam, and the use of incense can enhance spiritual experiences and create a pleasant atmosphere in mosques and homes.
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It is recommended to perfume mosques with incense
The use of incense to perfume mosques is a recommended act in Islam. The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, ordered the building of places of prayer in houses and instructed that they be cleansed and perfumed. According to Ibn Hajar, it is deduced from this Hadeeth that it is advisable to scent mosques with incense. However, Maalik disagreed with this idea.
The Prophet is said to have filled every space he entered with the scent of roses, and Imam Ali with the scent of jasmine. A'isha also mentions that the Prophet wore perfume like an anointment, to the point that his beard and skin would glisten with it. Another saying states that the Prophet never rejected perfume.
The sense of scent is inherently spiritual, as it is unseen but felt. It serves as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Mawlana Rumi uses the metaphor of fragrance to describe how good words ascend to God, just as incense does. Similarly, the 20th-century South Asian mystic, Hazrat Inayat Khan, described incense as "the heart of the lover of God, whose deep sign rises upward, spreading its perfume all around."
In addition to its spiritual significance, incense also holds practical value. The Prophet spoke of the healing properties of different incenses, specifically mentioning that Indian incense (al-‘ud al-Hindi) can heal seven different ailments, including respiratory illnesses.
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Burning incense is prohibited for women if they will be going out in public
The use of incense is a recommended act in Islam, particularly for perfuming mosques and houses. However, there is a specific prohibition regarding the burning of incense for women who intend to go out in public. This prohibition is based on a narration from Abu Hurairah, who relayed a message from the Messenger of Allah:
> Any woman who has been perfumed with incense should not attend ‘Isha’ later with us. [Sunan an-Nasa’i] ... The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘If a woman goes out to the Masjid, let her perform Ghusl to remove perfume as she would perform Ghusl to remove Janabah (impurity following sexual activity).
This indicates that women who have burned incense and carry its strong fragrance on them should refrain from attending public gatherings or going out to the Masjid (mosque). The underlying principle seems to be that the use of incense should not be associated with false beliefs or specific prohibitions, such as seeking blessings, warding off the evil eye, or repelling fear.
While the burning of incense is generally permissible in Islam, this narration highlights a specific restriction for women who plan to go out in public. It is important to note that the prohibition is related to the association of incense with certain beliefs and practices rather than the act itself.
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The Prophet spoke of the healing properties of different incenses
The use of incense in Islam, known as bukhoor, is a recommended practice, especially in places of worship. The Prophet Muhammad endorsed the use of incense, and it is said that he himself used it. While the Quran does not specifically mention the use of incense, it does emphasise the importance of creating a peaceful and tranquil environment, which can be enhanced by the use of fragrant incense.
The use of incense in Islam is also connected to the belief in the importance of the senses, both external and internal, in achieving spiritual growth. The metaphor of fragrance is used by Mawlana Rumi to describe how good words rise up to God, just as incense does. This idea of the senses opening up to the sacred realm is also present in the works of Persian sage Mawlana Rumi and Persian Sufi Farid al-Din 'Attar, who is named the "perfume-seller."
While the use of incense is recommended in Islam, it is important to note that seeking blessings, warding off fears, or other similar practices associated with incense are considered innovations, superstitions, or Shirk-related (polytheism) acts.
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Burning incense is not believed to expel evil spirits or forces
Burning incense is permissible in Islam as long as it is used to enjoy pleasant smells around the house or to perfume mosques. However, burning incense is not believed to expel evil spirits or forces.
In Islam, burning incense is not considered to have any power in driving away demons or evil spirits. Islamic sources emphasize that there is no basis for this belief and that seeking refuge and protection from evil forces should be done through Allah and the teachings of the Quran.
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, an Islamic scholar, states that it is a misconception to associate incense with expelling evil spirits or forces. Instead, he directs Muslims to the Quran and prophetic hadiths, which provide guidance on protecting oneself from such entities.
Additionally, the practice of burning incense to ward off evil is considered an innovation, superstition, and Shirk-rela by some Islamic scholars. It is important for Muslims to shun the belief that burning incense has any spiritual or supernatural benefits beyond providing a pleasant fragrance.
While incense can be used for perfuming purposes, it is essential for Muslims to understand that its usage holds no spiritual significance in expelling evil entities or forces.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense is permissible in Islam as long as it is being used to enjoy pleasant smells. However, there is no authentic evidence that instructs Muslims to burn incense at home.
Using incense to perfume mosques is a recommended act in Islam. It is said that the Prophet Muhammad used incense and filled every space he entered with the scent of roses. However, burning incense is not considered to have any special powers in expelling "jinn" and evil forces.
Women are prohibited from burning incense if they will be going out in public places where people will smell the fragrance on them.
