[Q 320] Consuming Fragrant Foods and Drinks In the State of Ihram

Question

Can food and drinks with fragrant smells be consumed?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

There is no harm in eating fragrant foods even if the fragrance is still emanating from it.

However, if an uncooked fragrant ingredient is added to a dish, then the judgment will be according to whether the food is in greater quantity or the uncooked fragrant ingredient.

If the food is in greater quantity than the uncooked fragrant ingredient, then eating such food does not necessitate Kaffarah (expiation); however, it is better to avoid such food if the fragrance is noticeable.

On the other hand, if the uncooked fragrant ingredient is in greater quantity than the food, then offering Kaffarah (Dam/Sadaqah) will be Wajib.

Dam will be due if such food came in contact with most of one’s mouth and Sadaqah if such food came in contact with one’s mouth lesser than that.

The ruling for any fragrant juice, syrup, or drink is that if the fragrant ingredient is cooked into it, then there is no harm in drinking such a drink.

However, if an essence is also added to the beverage to make it fragrant, which is usually added to the cooked beverage after it has been cooled, and usually the essence added is a small amount, then the ruling on this type of essence-added beverage is that if a Muhrim has drunk it three times or more, Dam will be due, otherwise Sadaqah.

It is stated in Bahar-e-Shariat:

If a Muhrim drinks a beverage in which a fragrant ingredient was added, Dam will be due on him if the fragrant ingredient overwhelms the beverage.

If the fragrant ingredient is in small quantity, but the Muhrim has drunk from such a beverage three times or more, then Dam will be due, otherwise Sadaqah.

(Bahare-Shariat, vol. 1, pp. 1165)

Answered by: Tabaruk Madani (Askmufti Scholar)

Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari

Translated answer

Date: 12th May 2024