It’s a beautiful thing to be a Muslim. Alhamdulillah. Islam is not a religion confined to praying and fasting only, it is a complete way of life, a divine guidance that touches every aspect of our lives. During the involuntary acts like sneezing, it is even transformed into an act of worship and a means of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood when we say the dua upon sneezing and the dua after sneezing.
Have you ever been in a gathering where someone sneezes, and immediately, a gentle chorus of “Yarhamukallah” follows after the person says “Alhamdulillah“? Perhaps you’ve also instinctively replied “Yahdikumullah wa yuslihu balakum.” This isn’t just a polite gesture, it’s a beautiful Sunnah taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) that reminds us to keep Allah’s name alive in our everyday lives.
Sneezing is something every human experiences. It’s a natural release, yet in Islam, it becomes an act of worship and gratitude. When you sneeze, your body expels impurities and at that moment, you are encouraged to thank Allah for the blessing of health and relief. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that the dua upon sneezing and the dua after sneezing are not mere words, but a reflection of faith, gratitude, and brotherhood among Muslims.
The evidence of this was narrated from Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet ﷺ said,
“Verily, Allah likes sneezing and dislikes yawning.
The Prophet ﷺ’s teachings encompass every act of human behavior, like saying the dua when and after eating, the dua when leaving home, and others. This shows how Islam nurtures not only the grand acts of worship like prayer and fasting but also the smallest actions, transforming them into opportunities for reward. My dear brothers and sisters, Islam is really a complete way of life. Now let’s learn the dua upon sneezing and after.
What to Say When You Sneeze. The Authentic Dua Upon Sneezing
My dear brothers and sisters, when that sudden, unexpected sneeze comes upon you, what is the first thing that escapes your lips? For many of us, it might be a simple “Ah-chee!”. But in the beautiful teachings of our Deen, that very moment is a golden opportunity for reward, a divinely appointed time for remembrance.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us to express praise to Allah each time we sneeze. In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, it was narrated that when a person sneezes, he should say “Alhamdulillah.” This is the authentic dua upon sneezing, and it transforms an ordinary human reflex into an act of worship. This short phrase, known as the dua upon sneezing, is filled with gratitude, humility, and remembrance of Allah.
The moment you sneeze, the first and foremost phrase that should consciously come from your lips is the cornerstone of gratitude:
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ
“Alhamdulillah”
(All praise is for Allah)
This is the foundational, essential dua upon sneezing. It is a declaration that all praise, for this relief and for every condition, belongs to Allah alone. The evidence for this is paramount. As we’ve discussed, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Indeed, Allah loves sneezing and dislikes yawning. So when one of you sneezes and praises Allah (says Alhamdulillah).” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
This dua upon sneezing is a way of thanking Allah for the restoration of comfort and health after sneezing.
Should I say it loudly or softly?
That’s a good question many people wonder about. Should I whisper “Alhamdulillah” to myself or say it loud enough for others to hear? The Sunnah teaches us that we should say it loud enough for those nearby to hear not shouting, but clearly audible.
Why? Because when people around you hear your Alhamdulillah, it allows them to respond with the dua after sneezing with “Yarhamukallah.”If you say it too softly, no one can hear you, and they’ll miss the chance to make dua after sneezing for you.
What to Say After Hearing Someone Sneeze (The Dua After Sneezing)
Just as Islam teaches us the dua upon sneezing, it also guides us on how to respond when someone else sneezes. This is known as the dua after sneezing, and it represents one of the simplest and most heartwarming acts of brotherhood in our faith.
The Sunnah is clear on this, when you hear your Muslim brother or sister say “Alhamdulillah” after sneezing, your duty as a believer is to respond with “Yarhamukallah,” which means “May Allah have mercy on you.” This entire exchange is a perfect example of how Islam turns small daily moments into opportunities to remember Allah and strengthen love between believers. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
When one of you sneezes and praises Allah (say Alhamdulillah), it is a duty on every Muslim to say to him: May Allah have mercy on you. (Yarhamukallah) (Sahih al-Bukhari 5872)
يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ
“Yarhamukallah”
(May Allah have mercy upon you)
Look at how profound this teaching is. A sneeze becomes a moment of mercy, an exchange of dua, and an expression of care between Muslims. This practice builds social compassion and brotherly connection among Muslims, reminding them to invoke Allah’s mercy for one another.
Response Of The Dua After Sneezing By The One Who Sneezed First (The Sneezer’s Final Reply)
The dua upon and after sneezing does not end with Yarhamukallah (May Allah have mercy upon you). The step that completes this circle, after you have been blessed with the du’a of your brothers and sisters, is now to pray for them back. So the one who sneezed should reply:
يَهْدِيكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ
“Yahdikumullahu wa Yuslihu Balakum”
(May Allah guide you and set your affairs right)
Our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
When one of you sneezes and praises Allah, it is a duty on every Muslim to say to him: May Allah have mercy on you. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5872)
This is a great du’a. You are asking Allah to grant them Hidayah (guidance) in all their matters, guidance in their knowledge, their worship, their dealings, and their life’s path. Furthermore, you are asking Allah to rectify, correct, and improve every single one of their affairs, both apparent and hidden. What can be better than being a Muslim? Absolutely nothing.
SubhanAllah, what a beautiful lesson hidden in such a simple act! Through the dua upon sneezing and the dua after sneezing, Islam reminds us that every moment, including the time of sneezing, can become an act of worship by remembering Allah.
When someone sneezes and says “Alhamdulillah” upon sneezing, the muslim who hears this responds with “Yarhamukallah”, and the one who sneezes first will now reply lastly with “Yahdikumullah wa yuslih balakum”.
What a beautiful circle of mercy and supplication. This exchange doesn’t just fulfill a Sunnah but also nurtures love, unity, and compassion among Muslims. It shows how deeply Islam values manners, gratitude, and brotherhood, even in the smallest acts.
Let’s revive this Sunnah in our daily lives. Let every sneeze be a moment of remembrance, every response an act of kindness, and every interaction a reminder of Allah’s mercy.
We ask Allah to grant us the understanding to implement the Sunnah in our lives and unite our hearts in love and mercy for His sake. We ask Allah to guide us, rectify all of our affairs, and bless us with His endless mercy in this life and the next. Aameen
