Solah with Unpleasant Smell Mouth is Makruh or Haram

Solah with Unpleasant Smell Mouth is Makruh or Haram

Would Solah valid if someone performs it with the mouth emanate unpleasant smell which caused inconvenience to other members of worshippers?

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and Thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of al-‘ālameen. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam, is His Messenger

When someone is observing Solah he is in a sanctified moment as he is conversing with his Lord, Allah Almighty. Then the solah with unpleasant smell that emit from the mouth is considered makrūh (disliked) although the solah is valid. But if someone who is attending the congregation solah is offered in the masjid and the smell annoys the other worshippers and the angels, and then it become a harām.

The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “When one of you stands to perform Solah, he is conversing with his Lord” [Narrated by al-Bukhāri (390) and Muslim (762)].

The hadith spells out that as Solah is most sanctified moment, one should be fully prepared for standing before his Lord, and his body and clothes and the place where he prays should be clean and free of any offensive smells.

And Allāh says (interpretation of the meaning): “O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes) while praying [and going round (the Tawāf of) the Ka‘bah] and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allāh) likes not Al‑Musrifūn (those who waste by extravagance)” [Surah Al-A’rāf 7:31]. 

The ayat indicates that the worshipper is enjoined to adorn himself and look presentable when performing Solah. 

It was narrated by Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari (radiyallahu’anhu) that the Messenger of Allah, (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam), said: “Cleanliness is half of faith and Alhamdulillāh fills the scale, and Subhānallah and Alhamdulillāh fill up what is between the heavens and the earth. Solah is a light, and charity is proof (of one's faith) and endurance is brightness and the Qur'an is a proof on your behalf or against you. All men go out early in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves.” [Narrated by Muslim].

The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) indicates that cleanliness is half of faith; therefore it should not be taken lightly. Yet, some Muslim brothers attending congregation solah but annoy their brothers, their Lord, and His Angels, by not making proper cleanliness.

The concern regarding the cleanliness of mouth, Abu Hurairah (radiyallahu’anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: Were it not for the fact that I did not want to make things too hard for my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the siwāk at every time of solah.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (838) and Muslim (370)] 

‘Aishah (radiyallahu’anha) narrated that when the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) entered the house, he would first brush the teeth. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim] 

Keeping clean is very important in our deen, but our level of cleanliness should not be skin deep. Our level of cleanliness needs to go beyond the outer self to touch our minds, our hearts and our souls.

The Solah with unpleasant smell in the mouth, it is valid but makrūh (disliked). If one attended the congregation solat is offered in the masjid and this smell is obvious to such an extent that it annoys other worshippers and the angels, and then in that case it is harām.

The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Whoever has eaten of this plant (i.e., garlic), let him not approach our masjid.” [Al-Bukhāri (806) and Muslim (870)]

Rasulullah (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) also said: “Whoever has eaten of this plant let him not approach our mosque and annoy us with the smell of garlic.” [Narrated by Mālik in al-Muwatta’ (27)] 

Islam has always sought its followers to be clean and hygienic, and never likes disturbing scenes. If a person ignores keeping clean by claiming that it is part of asceticism and humility, then it is not part of Islam. Islam recommends human being to be good-looking, in good shape. This characteristic has been attached with the ethics of prayers, while going to masjid, meeting family members and friends, which in return spread love and acceptance among the people. This type of elegance is not an exaggeration. Beautifying the body after beautifying the inner part of body is one of the Islamic teachings, sought by the Allah’s servant of high status and beautiful congregation.

The unpleasant smell in the mouth is not a small matter, particularly when it is such an extent that it annoys other worshippers and the angels, and then in that case it is harām. Smoking can cause unpleasant smell to other worshipers. Thus, it is advisable to pay attention to cleaning the mouth, and if it needs some treatment then it would be wise to have it treated so as to avoid embarrassment when others keep away during congregation prayer.  It is a sunnah to keep it clean.

Cleanliness is righteousness, as such Allah Almighty says: "O you who believe! When you rise up for solah, wash you faces, and your hands up to the elbows, and lightly rub your heads and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. And if you are unclean, purify yourselves ... Allah would not place a burden on you, but He would purify you and would perfect His grace upon you, that you may give thanks." [Surah Al-Māidah 5:6]

In a hadith from  ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ud (radiyallāhu‘anhu) who reported: The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to supplicate: “Allāhumma inni as ‘alukal-Huda, Wat-Tuqa, Wal-‘Afafa, Wal-Ghina (O Allāh! I beseech You for Guidance, Piety, Chastity and Contentment).” [Muslim]. 

This du’a contains four words, the meanings and implications of which constitute its essence. These words are guidance, piety (fear of Allah), chastity and sufficiency.Guidance here means guidance at every turn of life and steadfastness on the path of truth. Fear of Allah is the greatest means of piety and strongest defense against sins. Chastity is the state of being free from what is unlawful. Self-sufficiency is the antonym of poverty and here it means the self-contentment. What it implies is that one should not care for what people possess. In view of all these qualities, the prayer of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) mentioned in this Hadith is very comprehensive and valuable.

And Allāh Almighty knows best.

[Via Islam Q&A (114370) with minor modification]