Aslam

Praise be to Allah.The basic principle is that the perfumes which are common

among people are permissible, except in cases where they are known to

contain something which would prevent their use, such as their containing

intoxicants, or where a large quantity of the perfume would cause

intoxication, or it contains something impure (najaasah), etc. But in

principle the perfumes which are common among people are permissible, such

as ‘ood, amber and musk, etc.

If a person knows that there is a perfume which

contains something that would prevent its use, such as intoxicants or

impure materials (najaasah), then he should not use it. That includes

colognes, because we know from the testimony of the doctors that they are

not free from intoxicants. They contain a large amount of alcohol which is

an intoxicant. So we should not use them unless we find kinds which are

free of such materials. There are enough kinds of permissible perfumes to

leave us with no need for these, praise be to Allaah. The same applies to

all kinds of drinks or foods which contain intoxicants – we should not

use them. The guideline is that whatever intoxicates in large quantities

is haraam in small quantities. The Messenger (peace and blessings of

Allaah be upon him) said: “Whatever intoxicates in large quantities is

haraam in small quantities.” And Allaah is the source of strength.