Hadith Text & Context

"O people, you eat of two plants which I do not think are anything but bad, this onion and garlic. I have seen the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ), if he noticed their smell coming from a man, ordering that he be taken out to Al-Baqi'. Whoever eats them, let him cook them to death." (Sunan an-Nasa'i 708)

This narration from Jabir ibn Abdullah concerns proper etiquette when attending congregational prayers in masjids, particularly regarding foods with strong odors.

Scholarly Commentary

The prohibition here is not against consuming onions and garlic absolutely, but rather against coming to the mosque with their offensive odor. The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized maintaining the sanctity of prayer spaces and showing consideration for fellow worshippers.

"Taken out to Al-Baqi'" refers to expulsion from the mosque to the cemetery area of Medina, demonstrating the seriousness of causing discomfort to others during congregational worship.

The instruction to "cook them to death" indicates that thorough cooking reduces the offensive smell, making consumption permissible if one ensures the odor dissipates before attending communal prayers.

Juridical Ruling

Scholars classify this as makruh (disliked) rather than haram (forbidden). The ruling applies to all foods with strong, offensive odors that may disturb worshippers, including radishes, leeks, and similar vegetables.

One who has consumed such foods should avoid mosques until the odor disappears, or thoroughly cleanse their mouth and ensure no smell remains before attending congregational prayers.

Contemporary Application

This teaching extends beyond onions and garlic to include smoking, strong perfumes, poor hygiene, or any substance that causes discomfort to fellow worshippers in the mosque.

The principle underscores Islam's emphasis on communal harmony and consideration for others' spiritual experience during worship.