Ways of The Prophet (S.A.W)

SNEEZING AND YAWNING

Whenever the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) sneezed he used to say, (Praise be to ALLAH) and covered his face with his hands or garment, lessening the noise in this way. If any one in his company said in response, “May ALLAH be merciful to you,” the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi We Sallam) would say, “May ALLAH guide you and improve your circumstance. [Tirmizi]

If any non-Muslim sneezed in the presence of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam), he used to say, “May ALLAH guide you and give you well being,” but did not like to say “May ALLAH be merciful on you.”

The Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) when sneezing used to say “Alhamdo Lillah” put his hand or a cloth on his mouth and used to lessen the noise. If someone said in reply “Yarhamo Kallah” the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) used to say “Yadeekum Allaho Wayasbalakum.” [Tirmizi]

If a non-muslim sneezed in his presence he did not like to say “Yarhamakumullah” but used to say “Yahdeekummullah Wayasbalakum.” He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) used to sneeze in a very low voice and liked other to follow him. [Zad -ul- Ma’ad]

ALLAH likes sneezing (because sneezing bars the head and the sieves, which results in cheerfulness and bother contrition in carrying out Allah’s commands. Yawning comes from the devil, so when one of you yawns he should restrain it as much as possible, for when one of you yawns the devil laughs at him. [Mushkat, Al-Adab-ul-Mufrad]

According to a tradition from Hadrat Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) one should hold his left hand over his mouth if he cannot help yawning. [Al-Adab-ul-Mufrid]