Imâm Ibnu Qudama رحمه الله wrote:
"Verily it is recommended for them [the women]
to come out not perfumed & not wearing a clothing of fame/popularity nor
adornment. They should come out in the clothing they wear when serving/working
due to the statement of the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه
وسلّم:
"but they may go out (to the Masjid) having not perfumed themselves.."
[Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 565]
“They should not mix with the
men, but be to the side of them".
[Mughni (2/116)]
Imam al-'Adheemabaadi رحمه الله explained the above Hadith saying:
"That
is, not perfumed. It is said a woman is (تفلة) if her scent changes. That is what ibn Abdul Barr said and
others said. That is what Shawkaani رحمه الله said. In al-Ma'aalim it states: (التفل) is a bad scent. A woman is said to be (تفلة) if she is not perfumed and women are called (تفلات) [end
quote].
Verily,
they were ordered that and prohibited from perfume as in the narration of
Muslim ibn Zaynab so that they do not stir the men by their perfume. Connected
to perfume is whatever takes its meaning from the things that stir the desires,
like good clothing and jewelry whose traces are seen and luxurious adornment".
['Awn al-Ma'bood]
However, some of the Salaf interpreted the word (تفلات ) to
mean without perfume, instead of smelling bad.
