Arabic Attars

About Arabic Attars

What makes an attar Arabic

Modern perfumes are built from the top down: a bright opening that grabs you, then a softer middle. Arabian perfumery works the other way round. The base, usually oud, amber, musk or sandalwood, is the main event, with rose, saffron or spice sitting on top. That is why these attars feel rich from the first dab, and why they are still there when you take your kurta off at night. They are also the attars most often worn for prayer, Eid and weddings.

Names you will hear at the counter

Jannat al Firdaus is sweet and floral over a musky, woody base, and people search for it in a dozen spellings. Shamama is warm, spicy and herbal, a winter attar. Majmua mixes florals, musk and woods into a soft everyday scent. Mogra and Motia are jasmine in two moods, one fresh and one creamy. Hina is warm and earthy, with henna and rose. Then come the oud blends, such as Oud Zafran with saffron and honey. Traditional attar names describes thirty of them.

Wearing them for Jumma, Eid and weddings

The traditional way is simple. After a bath or wudu, dab the attar on the wrists, behind the ears, and on the beard or the cuff of the kurta. For a wedding, scent your clothes first with bakhoor smoke, then add an oud or amber attar to the skin. On a hot afternoon one dab is enough: these are strong, and a heavy hand in a packed masjid or a closed hall helps nobody.

Start with 3 ml or 6 ml

Deep attars change a lot on skin, so buy a small size and wear it for a full day before deciding. New to the style? Begin with a musk or amber attar, then move on to oud. Our staff at the Hyderabad stores will happily let you try five or six on cotton before you choose.

Top picks

• PV Jannat Al Firdaus attar: neroli, jasmine and rose over oud, amber and sandalwood, the one to start with, from ₹299 for 6 ml
• PV Motia attar: creamy jasmine with sandalwood, gentle enough for daily wear and prayer, from ₹199 for 6 ml
• PV Musk Tahara attar: clean white musk, the attar many wear after a bath and before namaz, from ₹299 for 6 ml
• PV Oud For Greatnes attar: saffron, lavender and oud on musk and patchouli, a classic oud for men and women, from ₹399 for 6 ml
• PV Scorpion Oud attar: oud, saffron, rose and wild berries over amberwood, rich and fruity for evenings, from ₹399 for 6 ml
• PV South Sandal attar: sandalwood, violet and vetiver, soft and woody, made for women, from ₹399 for 6 ml

Questions we get asked

Which Arabic attar is best for daily use?

A musk or a light floral such as Musk Tahara, Motia or Mogra. Keep the oud blends for evenings, functions and the cool months.

What is in Jannatul Firdaus attar?

Ours opens with neroli and peach, moves to cinnamon, jasmine and rose, and settles on oud, amber, leather, musk and sandalwood. Jannat al Firdaus attar tells its story.

Arabic attar or French attar: what is the difference?

Arabic attars lead with a rich base of oud, amber and musk. French attars open bright and fresh, like a modern spray, and settle more softly.

Is Arabic attar too strong for summer?

Not if you use one dab. Musk and rose attars are pleasant even in May; the heavy ouds are better from November.

Is attar halal?

Our attars contain no alcohol. Is attar halal? covers the question in detail.

Read next: Traditional attars explained · Attar kaise lagaye? · Winter attars

Shop by scent: Fresh · Woody · Floral · Amber · Sweet · Rose · Sandalwood · Unisex