Muharamat - Prohibitions That Are Taken Too Lightly. Islamic book

Coming to the mosque having an offensive smell

Coming to the mosque after eating onions or garlic, or anything that has an offensive smell

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes) while praying . . .” [al-A’raaf 7:31]. Jaabir said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever eats garlic or onions, let him keep away from us,’ or ‘let him keep away from our mosque and stay in his house.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see al-Fath, 2/339). According to a report narrated by Muslim, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever eats onions or garlic or leeks, let him not come near our mosque, because the angels will be offended by what is offensive to the sons of Adam.” (Reported by Muslim, no. 1/395). ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab addressed the people one Friday and said: “O people, you eat two things that I think come from bad plants: onions and garlic. I saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), when he noticed this smell coming from a man in the mosque, order him to go out to al-Baqee’. Whoever wants to eat these things, let him cook them to death.” (Reported by Muslim, 1/396).

We might also include here those who come to the mosque straight from work, with unpleasant odours emanating from their armpits and socks. Even worse than these are smokers who have the habit of consuming their haraam cigarettes then coming to the mosque and disturbing the worshippers of Allaah, people and angels alike, with their smell.