Using scented soap in Ihraam
Question:-
Whilst in Ihraam, I forgetfully used scented soap after using the bathroom. Is a Damm applicable?
Answer:-
Fundamentally, using scented products to wash one’s hair or body in the state of Ihraam is prohibited in Shariah. If a scented product is applied to a complete limb, such as the hand or palm, then a penalty known as Damm is required. If it is applied to a small limb, such as the nose, eyes, or ears, then only a charitable donation, known as Sadaqah, is required, provided the scent is minimal, like in the case of soap [[i]].
Although the hand and palm are generally considered as complete limbs, some Fuqaha have argued that because the main purpose of soap is to attain cleanliness, soften the hair and skin, and not to provide fragrance, Sadaqah rather than Damm should be applicable even if the soap is applied to a complete limb [[ii]].
This view has also been supported by Fataawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya, which states that, the primary objective of soap is to cleanse the hands and the fragrance is only secondary. Therefore, soap should not be regarded as a scented product, but rather as an item used to attain cleanliness. Furthermore, the cleansing properties of soap far exceed its scent, so Damm is not required, but rather Sadaqah according to this view. [[iii]].
In the queried situation, since scented soap was used only once, the person will be required to give Sadaqah as a penalty. However, it is important to note that although Sadaqah will suffice if soap was used just once, scented soap should not be used repeatedly. If scented soap is used multiple times, then it will be necessary to give Damm as a penalty when used on a complete limb, such as the palm.
The Sadaqah in the above instance will be approximately 1.6kg of wheat or its equivalent in value.
[i] Muallimul Hujjaj pg. 233/234
[ii] كتاب المحيط البرهاني في الفقه النعماني ج٢/ ص٤٥٥ دار الكتب العلمية
وَفِي المنتَقى هِشَام عَن محمَدٍ رَحِمَه الله إذَا غَسَل المحرِم يَدَه بِأَشنَانٍ فَيْهِ طِيْب فَإِن كَانَ إِذَا نَظَروا إِلَيه قَالوا هَذَا أَشْنَان فَفِيهِ الصَدَقَة وَإِن قَالوا هوَ طِيب فَعَلَيهِ الدَم وَعَنه أَيضاً لَا بَأسَ أَن يَأكلَ المحرِم الزَيتَ وَدَهن الشح وَأَن يقطرَ في أذنِه الزَيتَ قَالَ لِأن هَذَا طَعَام وَطِيب يَعنِي الزَيتَ طَعَام وطِيب مِن حَيث إنه أَصل الطِيبِ فَإِذَا لم يستَعمَلَه عَلى وَجهِ الطِيبِ لَا يظهَر حكم الطيبِ بِخِلَافِ البنفَسج وَأَمثَاله لِأَنه طِيب بِنَفسِهِ.
[iii] Fataawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya pg.443 vol.3
وَفِي الْهِدَايَةِ: وَكُلُّ صَدَقَةٍ فِي الْإِحْرَامِ غَيْرُ مُقَدَّرَةٍ فَهِيَ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ مِنْ بُرٍّ إلَّا مَا يَجِبُ بِقَتْلِ الْقَمْلَةِ وَالْجَرَادَ رد المحتار ص543ج2
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdur Rahman Abdur Razack
Date: 06 Ramadaan 1444 / 29 March 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai