Should I wear perfume to Jumu'ah?

The sunnah of Friday

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet ﷺ said a bath on Friday is a duty on every adult male, as are cleaning the teeth with siwak and using perfume if it is available (Sahih al-Bukhari 880). Scholars understand the "duty" here as strongly recommended, not obligatory, and the sub-narrator himself said Allah knows best whether the siwak and perfume are obligatory. Most scholars hold that the bath, siwak and perfume are sunnah.

Reward for those who prepare

In another hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, uses his hair oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then goes to the mosque, does not separate two people sitting together, prays what was written for him and stays silent while the imam speaks, will have his sins forgiven between that Friday and the next (Sahih al-Bukhari 883). This shows that the preparation is part of the reward.

Practical guidelines

• Keep it light. The goal is to be pleasant to others, not overpowering. Many people sit very close, and some are sensitive to strong smells.
• Choose alcohol-free if you can. Many Muslims prefer oil-based attar to avoid alcohol. See What is attar and why do Muslim men wear it?
• Pair it with cleanliness. Perfume is not a replacement for a shower, brushed teeth and clean clothes. Avoid strong food smells before going. See Can I eat garlic before going to the mosque?
• Use what you have. If you do not own perfume, do not worry. Hair oil, or just being clean, still counts.

What about women?

The Prophet ﷺ told women that when any of them goes to the mosque, she should not apply perfume (Sahih Muslim 443). Women who come to Jumu'ah can wear nice, clean clothes and have good hygiene, but should skip noticeable fragrance when around men. At home or among other women, it is fine. See Can Muslim women wear perfume in public? and What are the sunnahs of Friday?