Ruling concerning women using incense when they are going to the mosque

Question: During Ramadhaan, some women use incense in the mosque. We advised them to stop but to no avail. We want from you, dear Shaykh, to make this issue clear to them and to us.

Response: It is not allowed for women to use incense when they go out to the mosque or inside the mosque. This is because they become a temptation, then, when they return to their homes. It has been authentically reported from the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he prohibited women from using any kind of perfume when leaving their house to go to the mosque. He said, ((Any woman who has incense over her should not attend the 'Ishaa. Prayer with us)). The same applies to them using such fragrances in the mosque because then they go outside to the market while being scented. The same is the ruling for their using it when they go some place other than the mosque.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar.ah