Saying “shafaa-kAllaah” (شفاك الله) when someone sneezes

Reference: al-Fataawa al-Muhimmah – Page 701
Liqaa.aat al-Baab al-Maftooh – No.1059

Question: Is there anything [authentically reported] from the Messenger ﷺ that we should say “shafaa-kAllaah” (شفاك الله) to the one who sneezes a third time?

Response: Yes. If someone sneezes and says:

“al-Hamdu-lillaah” (الحمد لله), [then] say to him:

“yarhamu-kAllaah” (يرحمك الله).

And if he sneezes a second [time] and says:

“al-Hamdu-lillaah” (الحمد لله), [then] say to him:

“yarhamu-kAllaah” (يرحمك الله).

And if he sneezes a third [time] and says:

“al-Hamdu-lillaah” (الحمد لله), [then] say to him:

“‘aafaa-kAllaah, innaka mazkoom” (عافاك الله، إنك مزكوم), because of the hadeeth of Salamah bin al-Akwa’ which was transmitted by Muslim.

Likewise, pray for his well being.


Translation originally published on 30 December, 2014.

Graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having completed the Arabic Language programme at the Institute of Arabic Language before progressing to the Faculty of Sharee'ah, from which he graduated in 2004. He currently resides in Birmingham, UK.

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