How authentic is this Hadith: "The prayer of a woman who has perfumed herself for this mosque will not be accepted until she returns and performs ghusl as if from Janabah"? What is its explanation? Is a woman who perfumes herself at home sinful if she goes out, and the scent of her perfume is not strong? Is it obligatory for her to perform ghusl every time she perfumes herself and goes out?

The aforementioned Hadith was narrated by Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani. The preponderant opinion is that the woman's command to perform ghusl (ritual bath) if she has applied perfume is for the one who intends to go out to the mosque or elsewhere, so that the ghusl removes the trace of the perfume. This is done by showering her entire body with water if she has perfumed all of it, or by washing the specific area that was perfumed, or by changing the perfumed clothes if she intends to go out, because applying perfume arouses desires and opens the door to fitnah (temptation/strife). A woman going out perfumed is not permissible if she passes by men in such a way that they perceive her scent. However, if she goes out to a place where she will not pass by men, it is not forbidden. Nevertheless, it is preferable to avoid applying perfume when going out.