Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah loves the sneeze and dislikes yawning. When one you sneezes and praises Allah, it is a duty for every Muslim who hears him to say, 'May Allah have mercy on you.;' As for the yawn, it comes from Shaytan. When one of you yawns, he should repress it as much as possible. When one of you yawns, Shaytan laughs at him."
The Virtue of Sneezing and Its Etiquette
The sneeze is a natural occurrence that brings relief to the body and is beloved to Allah, as it expels harmful substances from the head and respiratory passages. When a Muslim sneezes and praises Allah by saying "Alhamdulillah," this demonstrates gratitude to the Creator for the blessing of relief.
The response "Yarhamukallah" (May Allah have mercy on you) is an obligation upon every Muslim who hears the praise. This exchange strengthens brotherhood and invokes divine mercy, creating a spiritual connection between believers.
The Nature of Yawning and Its Prohibition
Yawning originates from Shaytan and indicates laziness and sluggishness in worship. It occurs when the body becomes heavy and the soul grows weary, making one inclined toward neglect of religious duties.
The Prophet commanded suppressing the yawn as much as possible by closing the mouth or restraining it. This is because yawning opens the path for Shaytan's influence and mockery, as mentioned in the hadith that "Shaytan laughs at him" who yawns openly.
Spiritual Wisdom Behind the Distinction
Allah's love for sneezing and dislike for yawning reflects the divine wisdom in creating opposites. The sneeze energizes the body and mind, facilitating worship, while yawning induces lethargy that hinders spiritual practice.
This teaching trains Muslims to be mindful of even the smallest actions, transforming mundane occurrences into opportunities for remembrance of Allah and protection from Shaytan's influence.