The Etiquette of Sneezing in Islam: Supplications for Sneezing, Hearing a Sneeze, and Responding

Human beings are inherently fragile. We enter this world unclothed, physically weak, lacking developed intellect, covered in blood, and crying. We stumble often, taking a significant amount of time to learn how to walk and run. We are prone to forgetfulness, frequently struggle to grasp complex matters, and are constantly vulnerable to limitations.

Indeed, humanity is profoundly weak; our primary recourse is to strive and turn to supplication (duʿāʾ). Another testament to our vulnerability is how easily and frequently we fall ill—ranging from severe conditions to minor afflictions like sneezing.

Even in something as routine as sneezing, Islamic tradition prescribes specific supplications to recite when we sneeze, as well as prayers to offer upon hearing someone else sneeze.

Supplications for the Person Who Sneezes

For the person who sneezes, it is prescribed to express gratitude by uttering the ḥamdalah. The short version is:

اَلْحَمْدُ ِللهِ

al-ḥamdu lillāh

 "All praise is due to Allah." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, no. 6223; At-Tirmidhi, no. 2747)

Alternatively, one may recite a more comprehensive phrase of praise:

اَلْحَمْدُ ِللهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ

al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbi al-ʿālamīn


 "All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation."

 

(Narrated by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab al-Mufrad, no. 394; An-Nasa'i in ʿAmal al-Yawm wa-al-Laylah, no. 224; Ibn al-Sunni, no. 259)

Or:

اَلْحَمْدُ ِللهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ

al-ḥamdu lillāhi ʿalā kulli ḥāl

 "All praise is due to Allah under all circumstances."

 

(Narrated by Ahmad, I/120, 122; At-Tirmidhi, no. 2738; Ad-Darimi, II/283; Al-Hakim, IV/66)

Supplication for the Listener

When hearing someone praise Allah (al-ḥamdu lillāh) after sneezing, it is prescribed to respond with a prayer for mercy:

يَرْحَمُكَ اللهُ

yarḥamuka Allāh

 "May Allah have mercy on you."

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

إِذَا عَطَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ: فَشَمِّتُوْهُ فِإِنْ لَمْ يَحْمَدِ اللهَ فَلاَ تُشَمِّتُوْهُ.

idhā ʿaṭasa aḥadukum fa-ḥamida Allāha fa-shammitūhu fa-in lam yaḥmadi Allāha falā tushammitūh

 "When one of you sneezes and praises Allah, then respond to him with tashmīt (saying yarḥamuka Allāh). But if he does not praise Allah, then do not offer tashmīt for him."

 

(Narrated by Muslim, no. 2992)

 

The Response from the Person Who Sneezed

The person who sneezed then responds to the listener with the following prayer:

يَهْدِيْكُمُ اللهُ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ

yahdīkumu Allāhu wa-yuṣliḥu bālakum


 "May Allah guide you and rectify your condition."

 

(Narrated by Ahmad, IV/400; Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab al-Mufrad, II/392, no. 940; Abu Dawud, no. 5058; An-Nasa'i, no. 232; At-Tirmidhi, no. 2739; Al-Hakim, IV/268)

May we consistently put these daily supplications into practice, and may they bring continuous benefit and blessings to our daily lives.

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