The Scent of the Gods

Across centuries and cultures, oud has consistently been regarded as a sacred material-a means of communion with divine powers and a precious aid to meditation.

A scent of great importance in the Muslim tradition, agarwood is mentioned several times in the hadiths-collections of the deeds, actions, and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad-which, alongside the Qur’an, form the theological foundation of Islam. In one description of paradise, agarwood is said to burn among other precious substances. The medicinal use of oud is also recommended by the Prophet Muhammad for various ailments-such as pleurisy-or to relieve pain.

Agarwood is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, where it is referred to as aloes wood. The prophet Balaam declares that the encampments of Israel are like groves of aloes planted by God. Aloes wood also appears alongside other fragrant substances-myrrh, nard, and saffron-the most precious perfumes. Several episodes present it as a noble material associated with seduction. In the New Testament, the spiritual importance of oud is affirmed when the body of Christ, after the crucifixion, is anointed with a mixture of myrrh and aloes.

In Asia, the prominence oud gained over the centuries is closely linked to the rise of Buddhism, in which aromatic materials play a central role. Considered a sacred scent, agarwood incense is among the most prized substances, renowned for fostering focus and meditation. As the most precious offering to the Buddha, oud was also used to heat the ovens that prepared meals offered to the deity. In China, this religious importance of oud is attested across the centuries. In 871 CE, the Chinese emperor presented the monks of the An-Kuo temple with seats six meters high, inlaid with agarwood and sandalwood. Buddhist prayer beads are often carved from agarwood, and even today the scent of oud fills many Buddhist temples as an offering to the Buddha.