Firstly: Giving gifts among Muslims is encouraged, as Allāh says: “And whatever you give for interest to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allāh. But what you give in charity, desiring the countenance of Allāh – those are the multipliers.” [Ar-Rūm: 39]. Many commentators (mufassirūn) have interpreted this as referring to gifts among people. The Prophet (prayers and peace be upon him) said: “Exchange gifts and you will love one another.” [Al-Bukhārī in Al-᾽Adab Al-Mufrad]. He also said: “Answer the invitation, do not reject gifts, and do not hit Muslims.” [᾽Aḥmad in Al-Musnad]. He encouraged women to give gifts by saying: “O Muslim women, let not a neighbor despise a gift to her neighbor, even if it is only a sheep’s firsin (hoof).” [Al-Bukhārī and Muslim].

Al-Jawharī said: Firsin is used for camels, which is animal’s hoofs. Maybe, it was used with sheep metaphorically.

Secondly: One of the established legal rules is Allāh’s saying: “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.” [Al-Mā᾽idah: 2]. This is supported by the ḥadīth from Muslim narrated by Abū Hurayrah that the Prophet (prayers and peace be upon him) said: “Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to that of those who follow it, without their rewards being diminished in the least. And whoever calls to misguidance will bear the burden of sin similar to that of those who follow it, without their burdens being diminished in the least.”

Therefore, a Muslim should not assist anyone in committing a sin, neither by word nor deed. If they do, they will share in the sin of that act.

Thirdly: Gifting perfumes and cosmetics from one woman to another is generally permissible because the use of these items can be either lawful or prohibited. The general principle of permissibility applies here, and the mere suspicion of improper use does not prohibit the gift. This is because such probability is applicable all gifts.

However, if the giver is certain that the recipient will use it in a prohibited manner, then gifting it is not allowed, as it would be aiding in sin.

Fourthly: A woman going out in public with some adornments is not inherently forbidden. She may do so as long as she adheres to Islamic dress code, and as long as what she wears does not attract undue attention, does not deform her appearance, does not imitate immoral women, and she does not intend to seduce men. If these conditions are met, it is permissible.

Similarly, using perfume to mask body odor or household smells is allowed. What is prohibited is using perfume with the intention of seducing men, as indicated by the ḥadīth from Abū Mūsā that the Prophet (prayers and peace be upon him) said: ” If a woman uses perfume and passes the people so that they may smell her fragrance, she is so-and-so, meaning severe remarks, meaning she is an adulteress.” [Abū Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhī].

The Prophet’s (PPBUH) phrase “so they may smell her fragrance” is a condition for the ruling; if she does not intend that, there is no ruling against it even if they smell it. Those who generalize the ruling have not understood the condition and restriction in the texts. Moreover, it is reported that the female companions used to go out wearing perfume, as in the ḥadīth of ῾Aā᾽ishah (may Allāh be pleased with her), who said: “We used to go out with the Prophet (prayers and peace be upon him) to Mecca, and we would anoint our foreheads with scented musk when we were in a state of ᾽Iḥrām. If one of us perspired, it would run down her face, and the Prophet (prayers and peace be upon him) would see it and not forbid her.” [Abū Dāwūd]. They used it not only in seclusion but also during the pilgrimage, which gathers many people.

Therefore, there is no harm in gifting what you mentioned in the question unless you have a certain or near-certain belief that it will be used for a prohibited purpose.

Fatwa issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr