Does Touching the Kaʿbah While in Iḥrām Require an Expiation

29-1-2026 | IslamWeb

Question:

السّلام عليكم I understand that it is not correct to apply perfume to one's body after you have entered into the state of I?rawm. Is it fine for a Mu?rim to touch perfumed parts of the Ka'bah knowing that there is a possibility that some perfume may stay on his hands. I feel that there is a distinction between applying perfume to your body and coming into contact with perfume through touching a perfumed object, but I do understand that my reasoning may be flawed.جزاك الله خيرا

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

A person in the state of iḥrām for ḥajj or ʿumrah is prohibited from deliberately applying perfume to his body, or from touching something perfumed in such a manner that its substance transfers to the one who touches it. There is no distinction between the two cases, as the fundamental ruling is that perfume is prohibited in all cases for a person in the state of iḥrām.

Accordingly, if a person in iḥrām for ḥajj or ʿumrah deliberately touches perfume applied to the Sacred Kaʿbah, and that perfume is moist, he is required to offer an expiation (fidyah). It is stated in al-Umm by Imām al-Shāfiʿī:

“If he touches the khalūq (perfume) of the Kaʿbah while it is dry, then there is no expiation upon him, because it does not transfer nor does its fragrance remain on his body. However, if he touches the khalūq while it is moist, then he must offer an expiation.” [End quote.]

The required expiation in this case is one of the following: fasting for three days, feeding six needy persons—each receiving half a ṣāʿ(1088 grams) of the staple food of the land—or slaughtering a sheep.

Allah knows best.