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CHAPTER
ON SAYYIDINA RASOOLALLAH SALLALLAHU ALAIHE WASALLAM USING ITR
A sweet fragrance
naturally emitted from the mubaarak body of Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu
alaihe wasallam, as though he did not use itr. In a narration Sayyidina
Anas radiyallahu anhu says: ‘I did not smell anything more fragrant than
the smell of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam. The fragrance was better
than Amber and Musk.
Various other narrations testify to this. Many narrations are mentioned
in the books of hadith, where it is stated that the perspiration of Sayyidina
Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam was used instead of itr.
A narration from Sayyiditina Umme Sulaym radiyallahu anha is related in
the Sahih Muslim and other kitaabs, that once while Sayyidina Rasoolullah
sallallahu alaihe wasallam was sleeping, sweat began to emit from his mubaarak
body. She began collecting it in a small bottle. The mubaarak eyes of Sayyidina
Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam opened. He asked her what she was
doing. She replied: “When we use this in our itr, it has the most fragrance”.
Once Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam blew (made damm) on
his palm and wiped it over the back and stomach of Sayyidina Uqbah radiyallahu
anhu. It became so fragrant, and as he had four wives, every one of them
put on so much itr, to equal that fragrance, but it could not overcome the
fragrance Uqbah radiyallahu anhu had.
What should I do with the sweet smell of flowers O Nasim (fragrant breeze).
The clothing is also hopeful of attaining a sweet smell.
Sayyidina Abu Ya’laa radiyallahu anhu and others relate that in whichever
alley Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam passed, others
who passed later knew immediately that Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu
alaihe wasallam had just passed there. Many other narrations are reported
on this subject. Besides this Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe
wasallam usually used itr. The author has written six ahaadith in this
chapter.
(207)
Hadith 1
Anas
radiyallahu anhu says: “Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam had a ‘Sukkah’.
He used a fragrance from it”.
Commentary
The ulama give two meanings to the word ‘Sukkah’. Some say it is an itr
box, in which itr is kept. In this case it will mean he used the fragrance
from an itr box. My ustaadh rahmatullahi alaihe gave the above meaning.
Some ulama say it is a mixture of various fragrances. The author of Qaamus
and others prefer this meaning, and have also written the full recipe
of how it is made.
(208)
Hadith 2
Thumaamah
bin Abdullah radiyallahu anhu reports, “Anas bin Maalik did not refuse
itr, and used to say that Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam never
refused (the acceptance of) itr”.
(209)
Hadith 3
Ibn
Umar radiyallahu anhu says, “Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
‘Three things should not be refused: pillow; fragrance (itr-oil); and
milk.”
Commentary
These things are mentioned because it is not a burden upon the one who
gives these presents and by refusing, one may at times offend the giver.
All these things are included in those which are simple and does not burden
the one that presents it. By pillow, some ulama say it means presenting
a pillow, as it does not burden a person. Some ulama say that it is just
for one’s use while sitting, lying, sleeping, leaning, etc.
(210)
Hadith 4
Abu
Hurayrah radiyallahu anhu narrates: “Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam
said, “The itr of a male is the fragrance of which spreads and has less
colour in it (i.e. rose, kewrah etc.), and the itr of a female is that,
which has more colour and less fragrance (hina, mendhi, za’faraan etc.)”.
Commentary
Males should use a fragrance that is masculine, as colour does not suit
them. Women should use a feminine fragrance, which does not give off a
strong fragrance, it must be such that its fragrance does not reach strangers.
(211)
Hadith 5
Abu
Uthman An-Nahdi (At-Taabi’ee) radiyallahu anhu relates that Rasoolullah
sallallahu alaihe wasallam said: “If one is given rayhaan, he should not
refuse it, because it originates from Jannah.”
Commentary
From this, is it only the rayhaan itself that is meant or other fragrant
substances also included? The linguists give both meanings, and both may
be intended here. Allah Ta’aala made an imitation of the fragrance of
Jannah in this world, because this may be an incentive for the people
towards Jannah, and also increase their desire and zeal for it. People
are naturally attracted to something fragrant. What comparison can there
be made with the original fragrance of Jannah. It shall have such a strong
fragrance, that the distance of five hundred years will have to be covered
to reach its source.
(212)
Hadith Number 6
Jarir
bin Abdullah Bajali radiyallahu anhu reports, I was presented to Umar
(for an inspection). “Jarir threw off his top shawl and walked in his
lungi only (so that he could be inspected). Umar told him to take his
top sheet (put it on) and address the people saying: “I did not see anyone
more handsome than Jarir besides what we have heard of Yusuf As-Siddiqe
alaihis salaam.”
Commentary
What we heard of Yusuf As-Siddiqe alaihis salaam shows that he must have
been more handsome and beautiful than Sayyidina Jarir radiyallahu anhu.
Otherwise it seems there was none more handsome than him (Sayyidina Jarir
alaihis salaam). Sayyidina Umar radiyallahu anhu was making a detailed
inspection of the army at the time of jihaad. Every soldier was inspected
and Sayyidina Jarir radiyallahu anhu was among them. There are a few difficulties
in this narration. But shall be omitted to keep the subject short. One
of these difficulties is, that the beauty and handsomeness of Sayyidina
Yusuf alaihis salaam is exempted here. We can openly say that the handsomeness
of Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam was more than that
of Sayyidina Yusuf alaihis salaam. By not mentioning this, the handsomeness
of Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam is obviously exempted.
Shah Waliyullah Dehlawi has mentioned that the handsomeness of Sayyidina
Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam was hidden. The other question
is, what relevance has this narration with this chapter? An answer to
this is that fragrance is a part of beauty. The more handsome the person,
the more fragrance will be emitted from that person’s clothing and body.
It is an accepted fact that Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam
was the handsomest among the creation, and it is an accepted fact that
he was the most glittering among the moons, therefore a sweet fragrance
emitting from him is natural.
Article
taken (with Thanks) from Darul-uloom Bury
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