What is the wisdom behind the prohibition of perfume and sewn garments for one in the state of ihram?

The questioner : Yes, Khalid. The ruling regarding avoiding these prohibited matters is a sunnah (recommended practice) and part of the Shari'ah. However, we may seek the wisdom behind it, and we may err in our understanding of it. What is the ruling in that regard? Yes.

The Shaykh : It is to keep one away from what distracts a person from this great act of worship, because it involves a type of restriction, just as the fasting person is restricted from eating and drinking and the like.

The questioner : But if we adopt this cause or this wisdom, many things become prohibited for the one in ihram.

The Shaykh : The derived cause is not necessarily established as the basis for the ruling in every case where it is present. Therefore, we have passed through saying that this issue of elevation is not a valid cause. Bravo. No, we do not hold that view, but we say the wisdom is so that this does not distract one from the remembrance of Allah and from Hajj, and so that a person has no concern other than such matters.