Is it permissible for a woman observing her iddah to use shampoo and soap with a fruity scent, or those that contain a fragrance which the woman does not know if its smell is like perfume, or those that contain plant-based ingredients such as mint and tea?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A woman observing ' (waiting period) after her husband's death is legally prohibited from using perfume. However, scented soap and shampoo are not considered perfume, and there is no harm in using them. The same applies to pleasant scents that are not perfumes, such as the smell of mint or apples, as well as tea and mint; there is no objection to the woman observing 'iddah using them. Nevertheless, if the woman observing 'iddah refrains from using scented soap out of piety, that would be better.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 156714
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy