As soon as the sacred month of Ramadan begins, many jurisprudential (fiqh-related) questions arise along with acts of worship. One of the most common questions is whether it is permissible to apply fragrance (perfume), surma (kohl), or kajal while fasting. And does doing so break the fast?
In the light of the Hadiths, the answer is clear: applying fragrance and surma while fasting is permissible, and it does not break the fast. In fact, several narrations establish that this practice is Sunnah.
Fragrance: A Beloved Practice of the Prophet
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), was very fond of fragrance. It is narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“From your world, women and fragrance have been made beloved to me, and the coolness of my eyes has been placed in prayer.”
(Sunan an-Nasa’i: 3939)
In another hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“When fragrance is offered to any one of you, do not refuse it, for it is light to carry and pleasant in scent.”
(Sahih Muslim: 5883)
According to a narration from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), would never return a gift of fragrance.
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 2582)
In addition, the virtue of performing ghusl (ritual bath) and applying fragrance on Friday has also been mentioned.
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 883)
The narrations also mention that the blessed person of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was so naturally fragrant that no scent—neither musk nor amber—was found to be more pleasant than his fragrance.
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 3561; Sahih Muslim: 2330)
Important Point: Applying perfume while fasting does not break the fast.
However, if the fragrance is in the form of smoke—such as incense or frankincense—one should avoid deliberately inhaling it through the nose or mouth, as doing so may make the fast makruh (disliked).
Surma: A Sunnah Even While Fasting
Like fragrance, applying surma (kohl) is also a Sunnah practice. It is narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):
“The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), used to apply surma to his eyes while fasting in Ramadan.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 1678)
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“You should use ithmid (kohl), for it sharpens the eyesight and makes the eyelashes grow thicker.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3496)
According to the narrations, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) used to apply ithmid kohl three times in each eye every night before going to sleep.
(Al-Mustadrak ala al-Sahihayn: 8249)
In another narration, it is mentioned that he would apply three strokes of kohl in the right eye and two in the left eye.
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 23953)
The Sunnah Method of Applying Surma
It is considered الأفضل (better) to apply surma at night before going to sleep. One should begin by saying “Bismillah”, and then recite the following supplication:
“Allahumma matti‘ni bis-sam‘i wal-basari”
Meaning: O Allah, grant me benefit in my hearing and my sight.
After this, kohl is applied three times to the right eye and two times to the left eye. The applicator stick is drawn along the inner surface of the lower eyelid, moving from the inside toward the outside.
According to the Sunnah, ithmid kohl is considered the best. It is prepared from a special type of stone that is found in the Hijaz region of western Saudi Arabia and in the mountains of Isfahan, Iran.
Conclusion
During Ramadan, while in a state of fasting: applying fragrance is permissible, and applying surma is a Sunnah practice. Neither of these breaks the fast.
Clear references from the Hadith confirm that these actions do not affect the validity of the fast; rather, they fall within the scope of Sunnah practices.