Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A Muslim owes another Muslim six duties." He was asked, "And what are they, Messenger of Allah?" He said, "To greet him when he meets him, to accept when he gives him an invitation, to give him good counsel when he asks for advice, to wish mercy on him when he sneezes and says, 'Praise be to Allah,' to visit him when he is ill, and to join the funeral procession when he dies."
Sneezing and Yawning - Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 925
Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A Muslim owes another Muslim six duties." He was asked, "And what are they, Messenger of Allah?" He said, "To greet him when he meets him, to accept when he gives him an invitation, to give him good counsel when he asks for advice, to wish mercy on him when he sneezes and says, 'Praise be to Allah,' to visit him when he is ill, and to join the funeral procession when he dies."
Commentary on the Etiquette of Sneezing
The fourth duty mentioned in this noble hadith pertains specifically to the etiquette of sneezing. When a Muslim sneezes and praises Allah by saying "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah), it becomes incumbent upon the one who hears this to respond with "Yarhamukallah" (May Allah have mercy on you).
This exchange embodies the spirit of mutual care and spiritual connection between believers. The sneezer acknowledges Allah's favor in the natural bodily function, while the responder invokes divine mercy. This simple yet profound interaction strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and reminds Muslims of their interconnectedness in faith.
Scholars note that this duty applies specifically when the sneezer utters the praise of Allah. If one sneezes without saying "Alhamdulillah," the duty to respond does not apply. The response should be given immediately upon hearing the praise, demonstrating prompt fulfillment of this religious obligation.
The Six Duties in Context
These six duties collectively represent the comprehensive nature of Islamic brotherhood. They cover social interaction (greeting), communal participation (accepting invitations), sincere guidance (giving counsel), spiritual connection (responding to sneezes), compassion during hardship (visiting the sick), and final respects (attending funerals).
The inclusion of responding to a sneezer among these fundamental duties highlights the importance Islam places on even the smallest acts of kindness and religious observance. It teaches that true faith manifests in both major obligations and minor courtesies, creating a society bound by mutual care and religious consciousness.