Al Haramain: history, bestsellers and everything about the oud house from Makkah
Al Haramain is one of the oldest names in the world of Arabic perfume. The company started in 1970 as a small perfume shop in Makkah and grew into a perfume house with its own factory in the United Arab Emirates. Internationally, Al Haramain is best known for the Amber Oud range and L'Aventure. At Arabmusk, the focus is on the concentrated perfume oils, such as Amber, White Oudh and Black Oudh. In this article you will learn where Al Haramain comes from, how the brand developed, who the fragrances are made for and which Al Haramain perfumes are the most popular.
Al Haramain at a glance
| Origin | Founded in Makkah (Saudi Arabia), now based in the United Arab Emirates |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Parent company | Al Haramain Perfumes Group |
| Sister brands | According to the company, Al Halal and R&R Perfumes among others; Orientica is often linked to Al Haramain (see below) |
| Known for | Concentrated perfume oils, oud and agarwood, and eau de parfums such as Amber Oud and L'Aventure |
| Style | Classic oriental (oud, amber, musk, rose) alongside modern, international fragrances |
| Price range | Mid-range; the perfume oils are affordable |
| Popular in | Gulf states, South Asia, Europe and North America |
| At Arabmusk | All Al Haramain products |
The history of Al Haramain
Al Haramain was founded in Makkah in 1970. According to the company, the founder, Kazi Abdul Haque, started with a small shop selling oriental perfumes and agarwood (oud). The agarwood came from the Sylhet region of Bangladesh, where the family is from.
In the early 1980s his son, Mohammed Mahtabur Rahman, opened a first showroom in Dubai. A production unit in Ajman followed shortly after. According to Khaleej Times, production moved entirely from Saudi Arabia to the Emirates in 1987. Mahtabur Rahman still leads the company as chairman.
Today Al Haramain has a large factory in Ajman and a head office in Dubai. The company itself mentions more than 1,000 fragrances in its range. In 2024 the company reported around 120 of its own stores in more than ten countries and exports to more than 70 countries. These figures come from the company itself.
Where does Al Haramain come from?
Al Haramain has Saudi roots and an Emirati base. The name refers to the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah, where the company began. Production has taken place in the Emirates since the 1980s, which is why the packaging usually says Made in U.A.E.
You can tell this heritage from the range. Al Haramain has traditionally been strong in oud, agarwood, bakhoor and traditional perfume oils. The brand also makes modern eau de parfums that appeal to Western fragrance lovers.
Parent company and sister brands
The brand is part of the Al Haramain Perfumes Group. Besides Al Haramain, the company has mentioned the brands Al Halal and R&R Perfumes in interviews. These are not available at Arabmusk.
Many international shops sell Orientica under the Al Haramain name, and Orientica is often called a sister brand. We have not found this link confirmed on the official websites of either brand. According to Fragrantica, Orientica was founded in the Emirates in 2018, and it has its own company name. So treat the relationship as likely, not as established. Read more in our article about Orientica. At Arabmusk you will find the fragrances as Orientica perfume oil and Orientica perfume spray.
Do you like perfume oils? Then also take a look at Al-Rehab and El-Nabil.
Where is Al Haramain popular?
Al Haramain is big in the Gulf states, with its own stores in the Emirates and Saudi Arabia, among others. The brand is also well known in South Asia. In Europe and the United States the name grew mainly through the Amber Oud range, which you now also see in regular perfumeries and drugstores. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the perfume oils have been available in oriental shops for years.
Who is Al Haramain for?
- Lovers of oud and amber. Al Haramain is an oud specialist at heart.
- Anyone looking for a perfume oil. The oils are concentrated; you only need a little.
- Anyone who prefers not to wear alcohol. Perfume oils generally contain no alcohol.
- Anyone looking for a classic Arabic fragrance from a trusted name.
Most Al Haramain oils are unisex. Wardia and the Belle fragrances are clearly aimed at women.
The most popular Al Haramain perfumes
These are the Al Haramain fragrances bought most often at Arabmusk.
1. Al Haramain Amber
Al Haramain Amber perfume oil
Spicy and warm: saffron, lavender and clove, a heart of cedarwood, rose and iris, and a base of sandalwood, amber, patchouli, labdanum and musk.
2. Al Haramain White Oudh
Al Haramain White Oudh perfume oil
A lighter, accessible oud: a fresh opening, a woody heart and a warm, slightly sweet base.
3. Al Haramain Black Oudh
Al Haramain Black Oudh perfume oil
Spicy and woody: musk, cedarwood and spices on a base of patchouli, vanilla and amber. Darker and fuller than White Oudh.
4. Al Haramain Romance
Al Haramain Romance perfume oil
A floral heart on a woody, ambery base. Soft and suitable for women and men.
5. Musk al Haramain
Musk al Haramain perfume oil
Fruity in the opening, with a floral heart of rose, lily and lily of the valley and a base of musk, cedar, vanilla and amber.
6. Al Haramain Latifah
Al Haramain Latifah perfume oil
Mandarin and neroli, followed by cardamom, pepper and jasmine on a base of cedarwood, vetiver, leather and amber.
Other well-loved Al Haramain fragrances include Al Haramain Musk, Wardia, Safa and Salma.
Overview: which Al Haramain suits you?
| Fragrance | Character | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amber | Spicy, warm | Saffron, rose, amber |
| White Oudh | Light, woody | Oud, wood |
| Black Oudh | Spicy, woody | Cedarwood, patchouli, vanilla |
| Romance | Floral, soft | Flowers, wood, amber |
| Musk al Haramain | Floral, musky | Rose, lily, musk |
| Latifah | Fresh-spicy, leathery | Neroli, cardamom, leather |
Al Haramain at Arabmusk
- Al Haramain perfume oils: 10 and 15 ml rollers.
- Eau de parfums for women: Belle and Belle Rouge.
- All Al Haramain products.
- Related: Orientica perfume oils and Orientica perfume sprays.
Tips for wearing Al Haramain
- Start with very little. The oils are concentrated. A single stroke on the wrist or neck is often enough.
- Let the oud settle. Oud fragrances can smell sharp at first. After fifteen minutes they become rounder.
- Choose by season. Amber and Black Oudh suit cold weather well; Musk al Haramain and Safa are lighter.
How a fragrance smells and how long it lasts varies from skin to skin.
Frequently asked questions about Al Haramain
Is Al Haramain from Saudi Arabia or from Dubai?
Both. The company was founded in Makkah in 1970. Since the 1980s it has been based in the Emirates, with a head office in Dubai and a factory in Ajman.
Does Orientica belong to Al Haramain?
That is often said, and many shops sell Orientica under the Al Haramain name. We have not found official confirmation from either brand. Orientica has its own company name in the Emirates.
Are Al Haramain perfume oils alcohol-free?
Perfume oils generally contain no alcohol. The eau de parfums, such as Belle, do contain alcohol. If in doubt, check the packaging.
What is the best-known Al Haramain fragrance?
Internationally, that is the Amber Oud range. At Arabmusk, the Al Haramain Amber perfume oil is the most popular.
What is the difference between White Oudh and Black Oudh?
White Oudh is lighter and fresher. Black Oudh is darker and spicier, with patchouli and vanilla in the base.