What is the ruling on a pilgrim intentionally inhaling perfume?
Chapter on What the Muhrim Must Avoid and What is Permissible for Him
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
It is prohibited for a pilgrim to deliberately sit near perfumers, enter the Ka'bah while it is being fumigated to smell the perfume, or carry musk with him to smell its scent. The evidence is that intentionally inhaling perfume while in Ihram is prohibited, just as direct contact is prohibited. The essential element is the intention to smell, as evidenced by the fact that touching dry perfume without transferring any substance incurs no penalty, whereas lifting it with a cloth to smell it does incur expiation.
Supporting text
Inhaling perfume unintentionally, such as sitting near a perfumer out of necessity, entering a market, or entering the Ka'bah for reverence, or purchasing perfume for trade without touching it, is not prohibited because avoidance is impractical, hence it is overlooked.