Anas reported the Messenger of Allah (saws) as saying, “Among the things of this world, I love women and perfume, and the coolness of my eyes is prayer.”
Related by Ahmad and an-Nasa’i.
Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, “If someone offers perfume, do not reject it, for it is light to carry and has a sweet scent.”
Related by Muslim, an-Nasa’i and Abu Dawud.
Not only is the applying of perfume permissible for the believing men and women in Islam, it is a highly encouraged act and a preferred Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws).
Allah Subhanah has absolutely forbidden the consumption of all types of intoxicants for the believers.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verse 90:
O you who have believed! Khamr (all types of intoxicants), gambling, (ungodly) shrines, and divining devices are all abominable works of Shaitaan; therefore, refrain from these so that you may attain true success!
The thing that invalidates prayer is the presence of impurities on ones body or clothes. But not all haraam (forbidden) things in Islam are impure for example: gold and silk are declared haraam for the believing men, but gold and silk in their essence are not impure substances. Similarly, the majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that although the consumption of alcohol is haraam and absolutely forbidden for the believers, alcohol by itself is not an impure substance. Thus there is no harm if one uses perfumes and the alcohol used in making these perfume touches the clothes or some parts of the body; as long as it is not consumed and entered into the body. The prayer of such a person, if Allah Wills and Pleases, would be acceptable to Him.
The absolute safest and purest and closest to piety would be if the believers change their alcohol based perfumes with the many available ittr or perfumes which do not contain any alcohol; and thus absolutely remove any doubts which may exist.
