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Should the one who sneezes and does not praise Allaah be reminded?

09-11-2007

Question 106432

If someone sneezes and does not say al-hamdu Lillaah (praise be to Allaah) should I remind him?.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Saying Yarhamuk Allaah (may Allaah have mercy on you) is only prescribed for one who sneezes and praises Allaah. If someone sneezes and does not praise Allaah, then it is not prescribed to say Yarhamuk Allaah (may Allaah have mercy on you to him), or to remind him to praise Allaah, because of the saheeh report from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) according to which two men sneezed in his presence and he said Yarhamuk Allaah (may Allaah have mercy on you) to one of them but not to the other. The man said: O Messenger of Allaah, you said Yarhamuk Allaah (may Allaah have mercy on you) to him but not to me. He said: “He praised Allaah and you did not.” If reminding the one who sneezes was prescribed, then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have reminded this man to say al-hamdu Lillah. 

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote. 

Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas 

Etiquette of sneezing
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