Modern discussions about the role of perfumery in women's lives continue to spark heated debates, intertwining issues of physical health with moral and ethical standards.

Between Beauty and Virtue: Unpacking the Controversies Over Women's Us

Modern discussions about the role of perfumery in women's lives continue to spark heated debates, intertwining issues of physical health with moral and ethical standards. On one hand, there is an opinion that frequent use of fragrances can negatively affect hair condition—a process in which the loss of natural moisture accelerates graying. This perspective treats the use of aromatic substances not only as a part of personal care but also as a potential harm, reflecting concerns about a woman's physical state.

On the other hand, the discussion centers on morality, where excessive use of scents is seen as a way to lose modesty and excessively display outward sensuality. Here, a fragrance stands not so much as a source of aesthetic pleasure but as a warning against indulgence in excesses that contradict inner virtues and traditional ideals of femininity. Thus, the prohibition on the use of perfumery becomes not only a measure to preserve physical beauty but also an important element of spiritual upbringing and the maintenance of moral principles.

Delving into these complex aspects, it becomes evident that finding a balance between caring for both body and spirit always requires a measured approach, where every detail matters in creating a harmonious personal image.

How are the Muslim views that prohibit women from using perfumery justified, and what is the rationale behind such a position?

The Muslim stance prohibiting women’s use of perfumery is supported by two sets of arguments. On one hand, there is an explanation related to physical effects: it is believed that fragrances used frequently possess properties that lead to dryness and a loss of natural moisture in the hair, ultimately accelerating graying. In one source it is stated that “the involuntary use of fragrances… results in the necessary moisture for the hair being absorbed, and no new moisture being produced, with the consequence being the graying of the hair” ( link txt). That is, the use of perfumery is interpreted not only as a cosmetic procedure but also as a factor that damages a woman’s physical condition.

On the other hand, this position has a strong moral-ethical dimension. Alongside concerns regarding physical deterioration, there is an emphasis on the danger of excessive sensuality and licentiousness that vivid scents and external aroma might incite. One text notes that excessive use of perfumery can “arouse sensual desires” and be seen as a sign of a decline in moral principles, contradicting the ideal of inner modesty and virtue whereby a woman is meant to “exude fragrance” not through perfumes, but through her spiritual qualities ( link txt). Thus, the prohibition is based on the idea that perfumery should not be used to exaggerate appearance or provide mere aesthetic pleasure, but should serve practical, beneficial purposes—if used at all.

Supporting citation(s):
"Foolish wives, dyeing their gray hair and anointing their heads, gray even more quickly from the use of these perfumes, which have something drying in them. Therefore, those who anoint themselves with them become leaner. It is precisely this property of perfumery that leads to graying." (source: link txt)

"And pleasure alone, when not accompanied by benefit, gives reason to suspect the existence of moral debasement and serves as a means to arouse sensual desires... Therefore, the Scripture says: Honor the physician when necessary; for the Lord created him, and from the Most High comes healing... and not for the arousal of lust." (source: link txt)