What do Muslims say when they sneeze?

Explanation

The Prophet ﷺ said: when one of you sneezes, let him say Alhamdulillah, and let his brother or companion say to him Yarhamukallah. When he says Yarhamukallah, let the sneezer reply Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum. He also said that if a person sneezes and praises Allah you should reply, and if he does not praise Allah, you do not reply.

The full exchange:

• Sneezer: Alhamdulillah. Some narrations add 'ala kulli hal' (in every state).
• Listener: Yarhamukallah.
• Sneezer: Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum.

Practical points:

• The sunnah is to cover your mouth with your hand or clothing and lower the sound. The Prophet ﷺ did this when he sneezed.
• If someone keeps sneezing, reply up to three times. After that he has a cold, and you can make dua for his health instead.
• During salah, do not reply to anyone; a spoken reply breaks the prayer. If you sneeze while praying, you may say Alhamdulillah silently in your heart.
• If a non-Muslim sneezes and praises God, reply with Yahdikumullah (may Allah guide you). This is how Jewish men who sneezed near him were answered.
• Children should be taught the exchange early. It is one of the rights Muslims have over each other.

More phrases are on the Islamic phrases page.

The evidence

Where the ruling is recorded

• al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Hazr wa al-Ibaha, section on greetings and sneezing. Replying to the sneezer who praised Allah is wajib, and one reply suffices for a group.
• al-Adhkar (Nawawi), Chapter on sneezing. The Shafi'i view that the reply is sunnah.

Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.