DAILY POST #42
Imaam Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalaani – rahimahullaah said:
It is reported from Abu -Hurairah- radiyallaahu anhu – who said: The Messenger of Allah – salallaahu alayhi wasallam – said:
“When one of you sneezes, he should say; Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah) and his Muslim brother should respond to him by saying; Yar’hamukallah (May Allah have mercy on you ), then he should reply to him after that (I.e after Yar’hamukallah ), “Yahdikumullah (May Allah guide you) Wayuslihu baalakum( and improve your condition
Transmitted and recorded by Imaam Bukhaari in his “Adabul Mufrad” #6224.
COMMENTARY
The hadith shows the importance of the following:
1. it shows that we should always praise Allah and be thankful to him for every situation. For if Allah had wish, no one will be able to sneeze and lack of sneezing might be hazardous to the body.
2. It is not allowed to say to the disbelievers “Yar’hamukallah” when they sneezed. It suffices one should answer them by saying; “Yahdikumullah Wayuslihu baalukum” (May Allah guide and improve your condition ). And this is said to them if and ONLY if they praised Allah as explained by some ulamaa.
3. It shows the duty and right of every Muslim to his fellow Muslim when he sneezes.
4.It is not permissible to say to a Muslim “Yar’hamukallah” after he sneezes unless when he says “Alhamdulillah”. It is so unfortunate to find some Muslims today when they sneezed, they Will not bother to say “Alhamdulillah” and they will be expecting another person(Muslim) to respond to them by saying “Yar’hamukallah”
5. It shows that Islam is a religion that encompasses every aspect of life.
Allaahu A’alam!
Baarakallaahu feekum!