The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah loves sneezing but dislikes yawning; so if anyone of you sneezes and then praises Allah, every Muslim who hears him (praising Allah) has to say Tashmit to him. But as regards yawning, it is from Satan, so if one of you yawns, he should try his best to stop it, for when anyone of you yawns, Satan laughs at him."
The Virtue of Sneezing and the Dislike of Yawning
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (6226) establishes important etiquettes regarding two natural human conditions. Sneezing is favored by Allah as it provides relief and expels harmful substances, while yawning is associated with laziness and satanic influence.
The Command to Praise Allah After Sneezing
When a Muslim sneezes, they should immediately say "Alhamdulillah" (all praise is for Allah). This expression of gratitude acknowledges Allah's mercy in the relief provided through sneezing. The response "Yarhamukallah" (may Allah have mercy on you) from those who hear this praise is a collective act of worship that strengthens brotherhood.
The Prohibition Against Yawning Freely
Yawning originates from satanic prompting toward laziness, especially in worship. The Prophet commanded suppressing yawns by closing the mouth or placing a hand over it. This prevents Satan from mocking the believer's state of lethargy and maintains proper decorum in gatherings and prayer.
Scholarly Commentary on Satan's Laughter
Classical scholars explain that Satan rejoices when a believer yawns openly because it indicates spiritual sluggishness and inattentiveness in remembrance of Allah. This contrasts sharply with sneezing, which invokes Allah's remembrance and mercy through the prescribed responses.
Practical Application in Daily Life
These teachings from Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab) in Sahih al-Bukhari demonstrate how Islam transforms ordinary bodily functions into acts of worship. The sneeze-praise-response cycle becomes a means of earning rewards, while controlling yawns becomes spiritual training against satanic influences in everyday life.