Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 359

Undesirability of Rejecting the Gift of Perfume

باب كراهة رد الريحان لغير عذر

This gentle chapter is about receiving kindness with grace. A gift of fragrance, light to carry and pleasing to the senses, should not be turned away. The guidance reflects the Prophet's own manners and the courtesy that knits believers together.

Notice how a small thing, a flower or a scent, becomes a lesson in gratitude and good company. Accepting an easy, pleasant gift honours the giver and keeps hearts warm. Buruja's note here is simply this, do not refuse goodness offered with a good heart.

Hadith 1786

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ “من عرض عليه ريحان، فلا يرده، فإنه خفيف المحمل طيب الريح‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who is presented with a flower of sweet basil should not reject it, because it is light in weight and pleasant in odour." [Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet taught that a gift of sweet basil should not be refused, since it is light to carry and pleasant in scent. Accepting an easy, kind gift honours the one who offers it.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1786 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 276

Hadith 1787

Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان لا يرد الطيب” ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) never refused a gift of perfume. [Al- Bukhari].

In plain words

Anas reports that the Prophet never turned down a gift of perfume. His example teaches us to receive small kindnesses graciously.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1787 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 277