Using scented products during Iddah

QUESTION:-

During Iddah, is it permissible to use scented Vaseline? This is not for beauty or fragrance purposes, but rather, it is for dry skin. Also, what about using scented non-alcoholic roll-on?

ANSWER:-

There is no problem using Vaseline as treatment. However, you should avoid using roll-on during your Iddah, as roll-ons are primarily used to give a pleasant scent, and usage of scent is prohibited during Iddah. Also, there is no real need to use roll-on during the winter months, as opposed to during the summer months.

(قَوْلُهُ وَالْإِحْدَادُ أَنْ تَتْرُكَ الطِّيبَ وَالزِّينَةَ وَالْكُحْلَ وَالدُّهْنَ) وَسَوَاءٌ فِي ذَلِكَ الدُّهْنُ الْمُطَيِّبُ أَوْ غَيْرُهُ؛ لِأَنَّ فِيهِ زِينَةَ الشَّعْرِ وَيُقَالُ الْحِدَادُ وَالْإِحْدَادُ لُغَتَانِ (قَوْلُهُ إلَّا مِنْ عُذْرٍ) بِأَنْ كَانَ بِهَا وَجَعُ الْعَيْنِ فَتَكْتَحِلُ أَوْ حَكَّةٌ فَتَلْبَسُ الْحَرِيرَ أَوْ تَشْكِي رَأْسَهَا فَتَدَّهِنُ وَتَمْتَشِطُ بِالْأَسْنَانِ الْغَلِيظَةِ الْمُتَبَاعِدَةِ مِنْ غَيْرِ إرَادَةِ الزِّينَةِ؛ لِأَنَّ هَذَا تَدَاوٍ لَا زِينَةٌ (قَوْلُهُ وَلَا تَخْتَضِبُ بِالْحِنَّاءِ) لِقَوْلِهِ – عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ – الْحِنَّاءُ طِيبٌ وَلِأَنَّهُ زِينَةٌ (قَوْلُهُ وَلَا تَلْبَسُ ثَوْبًا مَصْبُوغًا بِعُصْفُرٍ وَلَا بِزَعْفَرَانٍ وَلَا وَرْسٍ)  (الجوهرة النيرة ص79 ج2)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:-

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date:- 17 Dhul Qa’dah 1444 / English Date: 07 June 2023