CHAPTER ON SAYYIDINA RASOOLALLAH
SALLALLAHU ALAIHE WASALLAM USING ITR.
Shamaa-il Tirmidhi Contents
Chapter Contents
Hadeeth 1
Commentary 1
Hadeeth 2
Hadeeth 3
Commentary 3
Hadeeth 4
Commentary 4
Hadeeth 5
Commentary 5
Hadeeth 6
Commentary 6
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.
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(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.
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(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.
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(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.
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(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.
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