A: The original rule concerning perfumes and scents which are common among people is that they are lawful except that which is known to be containing ingredients that render it prohibited to use such as alcohol, impurities and the like. Otherwise, the original rule is that all perfumes, such as aloes, ambergris, musk, etc. are lawful. If one knows that a certain perfume contains prohibited ingredients such as alcohol or a kind of impurity one must abandon it. This includes eau de cologne, for it is proved medically that it contains a percentage of alcohol which is an intoxicant, so one should abandon it, unless there are pure kinds. All praise be to Allah, there are so many perfumes which Allah has made lawful that make us dispense with using those which contain alcohol. Similarly, any kind of food or drink that contains intoxicants should be abandoned. The rule is whatever intoxicates in large quantities, a small amount of it is Haram (prohibited). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: If a large amount of anything causes intoxication, a small amount of it is Haram. May Allah grant us success.