The Etiquettes of Sneezing & Yawning In Islam 101

1. When one sneezes, one should say ALHAMDULILLAH. (Bukhari)

(Note: In today's society we find even Muslims who say "Excuse Me" instead of "Alhamdulillah". This is such a degradation. Even more, there are also Muslims who do say "Alhamdulillah" but resort to "Excuse Me" when in front of Non-Muslim Bosses out of shyness and fear. To fix this disease of the heart, effort on Imaan and Sunnah is required.)

2. In reply to this, one who hears (the person who has sneezed say Alhamdulillah) should say YARHAMU KALLAH. (Bukhari)

(Note: Similar to counter-response "Excuse Me", even Muslims today say "Bless You" - not knowing the fact that the actual counter-response for this has already been taught by Rasulullah SAW. Lack of knowledge means no practice. Lack of eagerness to seek truth means no knowledge.)

3. The person who has sneezed must reply by saying: YAHDEE KUMULLAHU AYUSLIHU BAALAKUM. (Bukhari)

4. Whenever our beloved Rasulullah SAW sneezed, he would cover his face with his hands or with a piece of cloth, so that the sound of the sneeze could not be heard too loudly. (Tirmidhi)

5. Rasulullah SAW said:

"When one yawns, cover the mouth with the hand, as the full opening of the mouth allows the Syaitaan to enter the mouth." (Muslim)

6. It is narrated in a Hadith, that:

"when one yawns, one should not make the sound 'Haa', as this causes the Syaitaan to laugh." (Muslim)