According to Islamic tradition, Allah dislikes yawning because it's associated with negative traits and states. It is not that the simple act of yawning itself is inherently disliked, but rather the underlying reasons that often cause yawning.
Several interpretations explain this dislike:
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Sloth and Listlessness: Yawning is often associated with tiredness, boredom, and lack of energy. This state of being inactive and unenthusiastic is seen as undesirable from a spiritual perspective, as it discourages positive actions and good deeds. As stated in a Reddit discussion (https://www.reddit.com/r/islam/comments/1cgmija/is-it-true-that-yawning-is-disliked-by-allah_swt/), "Since yawning symbolizes being slothful and listless, which means not being energetic and active to do positive things and good work, it is…"
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Shaytaan (Satan's) Influence: Some interpretations connect yawning to Shaytaan (Satan), suggesting it's a manifestation of his influence. The explanation given by Al-Nawawi ([Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Yawning is attributed to the Shaytaan because it promotes whims and desires, because it stems from heaviness of the body, excessive relaxation and fullness of the stomach. So what is meant is a warning against the thing that leads to that, which is eating too much.]), highlights the link between overindulgence and the resultant lethargy, indirectly associating this with Shaytaan. This is further supported by several sources like Quora (https://www.quora.com/Why-did-Muhammad-say-that-yawning-comes-from-Satan) and other hadith interpretations.
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Lack of Focus and Reverence: In the context of prayer, yawning can be interpreted as a lack of focus and reverence, signifying a lack of attentiveness to the act of worship.
It's important to note that the dislike is not directed at the involuntary physiological act itself, but rather at the potential underlying causes and the resulting spiritual state. The emphasis is on maintaining alertness, energy, and focus, especially during acts of worship. The hadith consistently emphasizes the contrast between Allah's love for sneezing (accompanied by praise) and His dislike of yawning (https://www.abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2019/05/15/likes-sneezing-dislikes-yawning/).
