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Sneezing & Yawning

Read published English translations and explanations on this topic. These are related source narrations; their wording and selection may differ from the Arabic site’s short selections. Every card identifies its own source.

Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhi, and AhmadAuthentic

Whenever the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sneezed, he would put his hand—or his garment—over his mouth and lower—or drop—his voice therewith

Narrator in the source: Abu Hurayrah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sneezed, he would put his hand—or his garment—over his mouth and lower—or drop—his voice therewith.
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhi, and Ahmad
Original Arabic wording
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: كان رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا عَطَس وضَعَ يَدَه -أو ثوبَهُ- على فيهِ، وخَفَضَ -أو غضَّ- بها صوتَهُ.
Understand this hadith

Whenever the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sneezed: First: He would put his hand or garment over his mouth so that nothing would come out of his mouth or nose and hurt those around him. Second: He would lower his voice and not raise it.

Lessons from the hadith
  • Demonstrating the Prophet's guidance concerning sneezing and following his example in that.
  • It is recommended to put a garment, tissue paper, or the like over one's mouth and nose when sneezing lest something should come out and hurt those around him.
  • Lowering the voice while sneezing is required and is a sign of perfect manners and noble morals.
References (original Arabic)

سنن أبي داود (7/ 375) (5029). سنن الترمذي (4/ 461) (2745). مسند أحمد (15/ 412) 9662). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (4/ 440). تطريز رياض الصالحين، لفيصل آل مبارك (ص528). بهجة الناظرين، لسليم الهلالي (2/ 149). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 678). كنوز رياض الصالحين لمجموعة من الباحثين (11/ 432).

Narrated by MuslimAuthentic

When any of you yawns, let him put his hand over his mouth, for indeed, the devil enters

Narrator in the source: Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah

Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When any of you yawns, let him put his hand over his mouth, for indeed, the devil enters."
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Narrated by Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عَن أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا تَثَاءَبَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُمْسِكْ بِيَدِهِ عَلَى فِيهِ، فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَدْخُلُ».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) instructed anyone who yawns, opening his mouth due to laziness, fullness, or similar reasons, to place his hand over his mouth to close it. This is because the devil enters if the mouth is left open, and placing the hand prevents him from entering.

Lessons from the hadith
  • If a person feels the urge to yawn, he should suppress it as much as possible by keeping his mouth closed. If he is unable to keep his mouth closed, he should put his hand over his mouth to cover it with his hand.
  • Adherence to the etiquettes of Islam in all situations because they are the epitome of perfection and morals.
  • Caution against all the devil's access points to man.
References (original Arabic)

صحيح مسلم (4/ 2293) (2995). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (2/ 151). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (4/ 436). تطريز رياض الصالحين، لفيصل آل مبارك (ص529). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، مجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 679).

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