When a Muslim sneezes, they typically say "Al-Hamduli l-lah" (الحمد لله), which translates to "Praise be to Allah" or "All praise is due to God." This is a common practice rooted in Islamic tradition, expressing gratitude to God for continued health and well-being. It's considered a sign of good health, sound digestion, and physical strength.
Upon hearing someone say "Al-Hamduli l-lah" after a sneeze, other Muslims often respond with "Yar-hamuka-l-lah" (يرحمك الله), meaning "May Allah have mercy on you." This is a response expressing a blessing for the sneezer's well-being.
Several reputable sources confirm this practice:
- IslamQA: https://islamqa.info/en/answers/2750/why-do-muslims-say-al-hamdu-lillah-after-they-sneeze explains that the act of saying "Al-Hamduli l-lah" after a sneeze is a way to praise Allah for good health.
- Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan: https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/4382-al-kafi-1683-sneezing-etiquette reinforces the practice of saying "Al-Hamduli l-lah" and the response "Yar-hamuka-l-lah."
- Numerous Quora and Reddit threads confirm the commonality of this practice among Muslims.
While some sources incorrectly state that Muslims don't say anything when they sneeze, this is not accurate based on the confirmed Islamic tradition. The phrases "Al-Hamduli l-lah" and the response "Yar-hamuka-l-lah" are common and widely practiced.
