Chapter: Recommending that one bless the sneezer when he praises Allah Most High, deeming it disliked to bless him when he does not, and clarifying the etiquette of responding to a sneeze, sneezing itself, and yawning.

878 – Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Indeed, Allah loves sneezing and dislikes yawning. Therefore, when anyone of you sneezes and says al-ḥamdu lillāh (praise be to Allah), it becomes a duty upon every Muslim who hears him to say to him: yarḥamuk Allāh (may Allah have mercy on you). As for yawning, it is only from Satan; so if one of you feels like yawning, let him push it back as best he can, for when any of you yawns, Satan laughs at him.” Reported by al-Bukhārī.

879 – And from him, from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “When any of you sneezes, let him say: al-ḥamdu lillāh (praise be to Allah); and let his brother or companion say to him: yarḥamuk Allāh (may Allah have mercy on you). Then, if he says to him, ‘yarḥamuk Allāh,’ let him reply: yahdīkum Allāh wa yuṣliḥ bālakum (may Allah guide you and set your affairs right).” Reported by al-Bukhārī.

880 – Abu Mūsā, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say, “When anyone of you sneezes and praises Allah, then bless him (with tashmīt); but if he does not praise Allah, do not bless him.” Reported by Muslim.