بَابُ الْعُطَاسِ وَالتَّثَاؤُبِSneezing and Yawning

¹ His statement: “it is the right of every Muslim, etc.”: This indicates that supplicating for the sneezer is an individual obligation, as held by some Zahiris, and Ibn al-Qayyim supported this in his notes on the Sunnah. Ibn Daqiq al-‘Id said the apparent meaning of the command is obligation, and Ibn Muzayn among the Malikis took it literally. Most Zahiris agreed, while a group of Malikis held it is recommended, with one person’s response sufficing for the group, as did the Shafi‘is, interpreting the Hadith as recommended. Most scholars held it is a communal obligation, fulfilled by some, relieving others, as preferred by Ibn Rushd and Ibn al-‘Arabi. The Hanafis and most Hanbalis agreed, and the stronger evidence supports it being a communal obligation. The authentic Hadiths indicating obligation do not contradict it being communal, as a command, though addressed to all, is fulfilled by some for communal obligations, as is the stronger view, or by analogy to responding to the greeting. As cited from Al-Mirqat and the statement of Al-Hafidh.

² His statement: “who hears him, etc.”: This qualifies “Muslim” to exclude when he does not hear, as the obligation does not apply then, similar to the ruling for greeting, visiting the sick, preparing the deceased, funeral prayer, and other communal obligations. In Sharh as-Sunnah: “This indicates he should raise his voice when praising to be heard by those present and earn the supplication.” As stated in Al-Mirqat. It is said in Ad-Durr al-Mukhtar: “The condition for responding to the greeting and sneeze is hearing it.”

³ His statement: “let him suppress it as much as he can”: It is said in Ad-Durr al-Mukhtar: “Among the etiquettes is covering the mouth during yawning, even by holding the lips with the teeth. If unable, cover with the back of the left hand.” It is said: “With the right if standing, otherwise the left or sleeve, as covering without necessity is disliked.” In Radd al-Muhtar, citing Hadiyyat as-Sa‘luk from Tuhfat al-Muluk: Al-Zahidi said: “The way to suppress yawning is to recall that the Prophets never yawned.” Al-Qaduri said: “We tried it repeatedly and found it so.” I say: I also tried it and found it so.

¹ His statement: “hoping he would say to them, ‘May Allah have mercy on you,’ etc.”: Some scholars said: Should their sneezer be supplicated for? I say: It appears he should not, as it honors and exalts them, and we are commanded to humble them. In Sharh al-Jami‘ as-Saghir, citing Umar’s prohibition of greeting a dhimmi due to the honor it entails, as stated by Al-Hamawi al-Hanafi in Sharh al-Ashbah wa an-Naza’ir. Its margin notes: There is discussion, and it is better to explain that it involves supplication and forgiveness, which a dhimmi is not entitled to. The Hadith in the Sunnah collections states that the Jews would deliberately sneeze among themselves in the Prophet’s (ﷺ) presence, hoping for his supplication and mercy, but he only sought their guidance. This Hadith supports what we said, so reflect.

¹ His statement: “let him say, ‘May Allah guide you,’ etc.”: That is, it is recommended. As stated in Al-Mirqat.

¹ His statement: “let him say, ‘Praise be to Allah’”: That is, it is recommended. As stated in Al-Mirqat. In Al-Alamgiriyyah: “If a man sneezes outside of prayer, he should praise Allah, saying, ‘Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds,’ or ‘Praise be to Allah, may Allah forgive us and you,’ or ‘May Allah guide you and rectify your condition,’ and not say other than that.” As stated in Al-Muhit.

¹ His statement: “he said, ‘The man has a cold’”: The Hadith indicates that supplicating for the sneezer is obligatory or a confirmed Sunnah, as disputed, up to three times. Beyond that, one may remain silent, which is permissible, or supplicate, which is recommended, meaning it is not obligatory to supplicate after three times, not that it is impermissible. As cited from Al-Mirqat. In Al-Alamgiriyyah: “If he praises Allah, supplicate for him up to three times, and beyond that, he has a choice.” As in As-Sirajiyyah. Those present should supplicate for the sneezer if he repeats sneezing in a gathering up to three times. If he sneezes more, he should praise Allah each time. If those present supplicate each time, it is good; if they do not supplicate after three, it is also good. As in Fatawa Qadi. From Muhammad: “If one sneezes multiple times, supplicate each time, but if delayed, one time suffices.” As in At-Tatarkhaniyyah. Al-Tahtawi cited from Al-Qari’s commentary on Al-Muwatta’: “Supplicating for the sneezer once is obligatory, and beyond that is recommended. If not supplicated initially, one time suffices, like the prostration for recitation.”