Question: I applied perfume on myself before the Dthuhr (noon) prayer in Ramadhaan and when I entered the mosque, the Imaam rebuked me and said that my fast has been nullified and so has the fast of all those who smelt (the scent) because it is very strong. How far is this statement correct?
Response: There is no problem in applying perfume whilst fasting and this does not affect the prayer except if the perfume is incense-based and one intentionally smells it. This is because the smoke from the incense enters the nose and activates the brain and thereby affects the fast. As for perfumes, then there is no problem for one who is fasting to use them. It is not permissible for this Imaam to give a fatwa (legal ruling) without (sound) knowledge.
Shaykh Ibn Fowzaan
Fataawa Ramadhaan – Volume 2, Page 500, Fatwa No. 454;
al-Fatawaa libni-Fowzaan – Volume 1, Fatwa No. 151.fatwaonline.com
