Hadith Text & Authentication

That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever eats from these - the first time, he said garlic, then he said - garlic, onion, and leek, then let him not approach our Masjid." [Abu 'Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Sahih.

He said: There are narrations on this topic from 'Umar, Abu Ayyub, Abu Hurairah, Abu Sa'eed, Jabir bin Samurah, Qurrah [bin Iyas Al-Muzani] and Ibn 'Umar.

Scholarly Commentary

This prohibition stems from the offensive odor these vegetables produce, which causes discomfort to angels and fellow worshippers. The Masjid is a place of purity and spiritual elevation, where unpleasant smells detract from the sanctity of prayer and congregation.

The ruling applies specifically to raw consumption shortly before prayer times. If cooked sufficiently to remove the strong odor, or if consumed long enough before prayer that the smell dissipates, the prohibition is lifted.

The wisdom behind this teaching emphasizes consideration for others in communal worship and maintaining the dignified atmosphere of places dedicated to Allah's remembrance.

Practical Application

One who consumes these vegetables should wait until the odor completely disappears before entering the mosque. If necessary, such a person may pray at home until the smell vanishes.

This ruling extends to any substance producing similarly offensive odors that would disturb worshippers, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of Islamic etiquette in maintaining mosque decorum.