Is it true that using perfume and other cosmetics which contain alcohol is not permissible and that it invalidates the prayer? Please advise and may Allah preserve you. By Allah, we only use them for the purposes of scenting and beautification which are commendable in the religion.

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessing be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:

These are among the issues in which the scholars differ based on the difference of juristic opinion related concerning the issue of whether alcohol is pure or impure. The more apparent of the two opinions is that it is pure, however, it is recommended that anyone who is accountable before Allah be called to act upon the more careful opinion in order to avoid scholarly differences, in which case such avoidance would be considered war`a (pious caution). However, in any case, it would not invalidate the prayer.