Sunna of Perfuming the Mosque

بســم اللــه الرحمــن الرحيــم

 

Our cherished Prophet Muhammad (sall Allahu alayhi wasallam) gave many glad tidings and exhortations for clinging to and reviving his blessed Sunna, particularly in the latter days when the people have become corrupt and negligent. For example, it is reported that he (sall Allahu alayhi wasallam) said:

رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى خُلَفَائِي ، قِيلَ : وَمَنْ خُلَفَاؤُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ؟ ، قَالَ : الَّذِينَ يُحْيُونَ سُنَّتِي ، وَيُعَلِّمُونَهَا النَّاسَ .

“The mercy of Allah upon my successors!” It was said: “And who are your successors, O Apostle of Allah?” He said: “Those who revive my Sunna and teach it to the people.”

In another narration, though weak due to an unknown narrator (Muhammad b. Salih al-Adawi), the Prophet (sall Allahu alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said:

الْمُتَمَسِّكُ بِسُنَّتِي عِنْدَ فَسَادِ أُمَّتِي لَهُ أَجْرُ شَهِيدٍ

“Whoever adheres to my Sunna when my Umma is corrupted will have the reward of a martyr.” (Mu’jam al-Awsat lil-Tabarani)

From among the blessed Sunan is to perfume the mosque. These days fewer and fewer managements adhere vigorously to this Sunna and burn incense or apply scent in their respective mosques. This despite the fact that:

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَمَرَ بِالْمَسَاجِدِ أَنْ تُبْنَى فِي الدُّورِ وَأَنْ تُطَهَّرَ وَتُطَيَّبَ

“The Apostle of Allah (sall Allahu alayhi wasallam) ordered that mosques be built in villages and that they be cleaned and perfumed.” (Sunan Ibn Maja #758, 759)

Burning of incense (al-Bakhur) for scent is from the Sunna. The Prophet (sall Allahu alayhi wasallam) would particularly burn aloeswood, sometimes mixed with camphor. (Sahih Muslim #2254)