Egyptian fatwa: Women may wear perfume as long as it doesn't attract men

Recently, an Egyptian fatwa was issued that allows women to wear light perfume outside the home, as long as their intent is not to attract men.

According to what was reported by Al-Youm Al-Sabaa newspaper, Dr. Ahmed Mamdouh, Director of the Sharia Research Department and Secretary of Fatwa at the Egyptian Dar Al-Iftaa, confirmed that there is nothing wrong with women putting on perfume if it is not put on too heavily and as long as the woman does not intend it "to stir instincts or win the hearts of men."

The fatwa does not seem to distinguish between married or single women.

Sheikh Mamdouh pointed out that the hadith that says “Any woman who puts on perfume and then goes out and meets people so that they can smell her scent is an adulteress,” is true.

The Grand Mufti of the Egyptian Republic, Shawki Allam, confirmed that perfume for men and women is part of hygiene - perhaps he is referring to deodorant - and he also stressed the need for women to use perfume in an unobtrusive manner.

The Dar al-Iftaa has a similar fatwa for women's makeup, saying it is OK to put on light eyeshadow or the like. 

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