Is it permissible to light candles in the home for a calming & relaxing atmosphere?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

To burn candles for light, warmth and to enhance a beautiful atmosphere is permissible. Burning candles has many health benefits and also creates a scented and beautiful atmosphere. ^[1] However, there is also a danger attached to candles. See the following narration. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ ‏ "‏ خَمِّرُوا الآنِيَةَ، وَأَوْكُوا الأَسْقِيَةَ، وَأَجِيفُوا الأَبْوَابَ، وَاكْفِتُوا صِبْيَانَكُمْ عِنْدَ الْعِشَاءِ، فَإِنَّ لِلْجِنِّ انْتِشَارًا وَخَطْفَةً، وَأَطْفِئُوا الْمَصَابِيحَ عِنْدَ الرُّقَادِ، فَإِنَّ الْفُوَيْسِقَةَ رُبَّمَا اجْتَرَّتِ الْفَتِيلَةَ فَأَحْرَقَتْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ وَحَبِيبٌ عَنْ عَطَاءٍ فَإِنَّ لِلشَّيَاطِينِ‏ (صحيح البخاري 3316) ‏

Translation: Narrated by Hazrath Jabir bin `Abdullah (Radhiyallahu Anhu):The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "Cover your utensils and tie your water skins, and close your doors and keep your children close to you at night, as the Jins spread out at such time and snatch things away. When you go to bed, put out your lights (candles/lanterns), for the mischief-doer (i.e. the rat) may drag away the wick of the candle and burn the dwellers of the house." Ata said, "The devils." (instead of the Jins).

● According to the U.S. National Fire Protection Association, candles are a leading source of residential fires in the United States with almost 10% of civilian inj uries and 6% of fatalities from fire attributed to candles.^[2]

Therefore, it is necessary to always be alert when candles are burning and to ensure the candles are off before sleeping. However, for a more scented and beautiful atmosphere, you may opt for burning Loban as this is a habitual sunnah of Nabi (Sallallahu Aliahi Wasallam). This is understood from the following Hadith of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): 

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: تَبَخَّرُوا فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ بِاللُّبَانِ، وَالْمُرِّ، وَالصَّعْتَرِ (المطالب العالية، ٢٤٤٨)

Translation: Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) states: ‘Fumigate your houses with Loban, Murr (type of grass) and Sa’tar (pleasant smelling plant)’ (Al- Matalibul Aliyah, 2448)

جاء رجل إلى علي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه فشكى إليه النسيان فقال: عليك باللبان فإنه يشجع القلب ويذهب بالنسيان (الطب النبوي، ٦٤٧)

Translation: A man came to Hazrath Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu), he complained of having a weak memory. Hazrath Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu) replied: Make use of Loban, for verily it strengthens the heart and enhances the memory. (At- Tibun Nabawi, 647)

قَالَ يَحْيَى بْنُ خَالِدٍ: شَيْئَانِ يُورِثَانِ الْعَقْلَ: التِّينُ الْيَابِسُ إِذَا أُكِلَ، وَدُخَانُ اللِّبَانِ إِذَا بُخِّرَ بِهِ (المجالسة: ٢٣٤٨)

Translation: Hazrath Yahya bin Khalid states, two items that strengthen the brain, consuming a dry fig and the fumes of burnt Loban. (Al- Mujalash: 2348)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

M. Akhtar

Student Darul Iftaa
South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

     http://mindretreatcandles.com/the-true-health-benefits-of-^[1] 

candles#:~:text=It%20is%20scientifically%20proven%20that,ambience%20of%20relaxation%20and%20calm.

It is scientifically proven that burning a candle can have many health benefits. Scented candles that use quality essential oils can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and stress and induce quality sleep. The flicker of the flame and the low lighting provided by candle light creates an ambience of relaxation and calm.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candle ^[2]

احسن الفتاوی (8/152)

الجواب باسم الملهم الصواب ؛ بقصد زینت چراغاں کرنا جائز ہے، بنیت تفاخر و ریاء جائز نہیں