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Preface:
People know bakhoor as an integral part of their cultural, religious, and personal life. We not only consider Bakhoor as a scent. We don’t just treat bakhoor as a scent — we carry it as a legacy for centuries. Famous regions that utilize Bakhoor include the UAE, India, and North Africa. People of Dubai use bakhoor as the smell of it carries tradition, hospitality, and religious symbolism. You may have smelled bakhoor at homes, markets, malls, shops, or offices, as people widely use Oud, if you live in Dubai.
In this article, we will explore the meaning of bakhoor that what bakhoor is, what the meaning of bakhoor in English, how we use it, and how Oud is related to bakhoor.
First of all, What is Bakhoor?
Bakhoor refers to woodchips of oud (agarwood) that craftsmen dip in special oils and blend with other ingredients. The combination of agarwood, oils, and ingredients like musk, sandalwood, rose, and amber makes it something that burns in a bakhoor burner and scents the whole environment around. You can burn bakhoor by putting it over charcoal, or you can use an electric burner to spread the fragrance everywhere.
What is Bakhoor in English?
Bakhoor is an Arabic word which simply means incense, but here we will give the answer of what is Bakhoor in English. Bakhoor is a mixture of woods, mainly oudwood, and other ingredients that make a flammable substance that, once set on fire or heated, releases fragrant smoke that fills the entire space and environment. We burn it in a safe space such as a burner that can be both charcoal or electric.
Shapes that bakhoor comes in
Bakhoor comes in many shapes and sizes, such as in the form of tablets, sticks, and cones etc. It has a sticky and wet appearance because of the infused oils in it.
What is Bakhoor used for?
The real question that arises that what is bakhoor used for? What is its application, and to answer this, we will talk in the form of the following points. Bakhoor serves multiple purposes, either personal or cultural, or both.
Scenting homes:
We widely use bakhoor at home to scent and make the foul smell go away. Bakhoor, when burnt, quickly takes over any bad smell of the kitchen or laundry, etc, and the small particles of smoke get infused in the things around it. The smell lasts very long even when the bakhoor stops burning. The smoke particles remain and scent the whole environment.
Scenting clothes:
Bakhoor, when burnt in a bakhoor burner, can be used to scent the clothes. Simply place your bakhoor after covering it with the lid, and then place it in the wardrobe. The smoke particles will get into the clothes and make your wardrobe and clothes smell good.
Hospitality:
Bakhoor represents hospitality, as when the guests arrive at home or the office. Burning bakhoor represents a cultural ritual that enlightens the mood of the guests and makes them feel like they are welcomed at home or office.
Spiritual atmosphere;
Bakhoor maintains a calm and peaceful environment at the religious gatherings. This scent is like nostalgia for the people of Dubai and the Gulf. The environment sounds neat, tidy, and fresh for the worship and recitation of the holy Quran.
Special occasions:
We use Oud at special occasions such as weddings, Eid, and family gatherings, which makes the environment smell fresh and serene. No special event feels complete without the bakhoor aroma.
Hence, we have answered the question of what is bakhoor used for.
What is the difference between Bakhoor and Oud?
The difference between Bakhoor and Oud lies in their making. Oud, also called the natural agarwood used to extract oud oil; it can be burnt to release the smoke, but without special oils and resins, it does not burn the right way. Hence, we dip it in other ingredients and oils that make it burn efficiently and smoothly. When we mix it with other ingredients and process it, this converts it into the bakhoor.
Other differences:
Oud scents the skin, while bakhoor scents clothes and the environment.
Is bakhoor sunnah?
Islam encourages the use of alcohol free scents for scenting yourself and homes, and living spaces. There are authentic narrations that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ liked scents and himself scented the mosques.
Clearly speaking, people consider Bakhoor burning as more of a cultural tradition. People do not take it as a direct religious obligation. Islam uses the word mustahabb, which means it is recommended but not obligatory.
How to use bakhoor?
People use bakhoor by burning it in a mubakhar. For safety purposes, you can burn bakhoor in this way by keeping these precautionary measures in mind.
- When using a bakhoor burner for burning the bakhoor, make sure to place the lid over it, as it will not cause fire in the surroundings.
- Keep the bakhoor burner away from the reach of children at home.
- Avoid direct inhaling of the smoke; rather, place it at a distance for the best experience.
This completely tells how to use bakhoor.
Conclusion:
Bakhoor is truly a life-changing thing that keeps the mood fresh and keeps the environment pleasant. In Dubai, Bakhoor is in great demand, but that also comes with a lot of troubles. Some dishonest merchants add impure substances that can be injurious to health. So, as a safety measure, always buy bakhoor from the authentic shops such as Oud Dubai, which is the supreme leading brand in the world of perfumes in Dubai. You can check this brand at the site Oud Dubai.
Frequently asked questions:
What are some scams involving oud in the market?
One of the most common frauds in the Oud market comes down to gluing the two portions of Oud together because the bigger the chunks of oud, the more valuable they will be. This Oud, when burnt in an electric or bakhoor burner, also burns the resins that give a very unpleasant and harmful scent.
How can we save ourselves from fraud?
Always choose a brand that has a good reputation, just like Oud Dubai. This brand has over 26 years of excellence, and they deliver the best quality straight from the forests of Kalimantan, India, and Cambodia.
