Hadith 11 - Sneezing and Yawning

SUPPLICATION OF SNEEZING

Narrated by Salamah ibn al-Akwa(Radhiallaho anho):
Allah's Messenger (sallAllaahu `alaihi wasallam) said: A person sneezed in his presence and he said to him: May Allah have mercy upon you. And he then sneezed for the second time and Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said to him: He is suffering from cold (and no response is necessary). [ Sahih Muslim Number 7128 ]

Sis Aisya note: When a muslim sneezes and says "Alhamdulillaah" (Praise be to Allah), You hear it, then you shall reply "Yar Hamukallah" (May Allah have mercy on you). Then the person can reply you: "Jazakallah" or ‘Yahdeekum Allaahu wa yusliha baalakum (May Allaah guide you and correct your thinking). (From al-Bukhaari, 10/502)

If a person sneezes and didn't say anything, then we don't have to say "Yar Hamukallah" (May Allah have mercy on you).

Quote from http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/2750

Sneezing brings a person the blessing of relief by releasing vapours that were trapped in the head which, if they were to remain there, would cause him pain and sickness. For this reason, Islam tells him to praise Allaah for this blessing and for the fact that his body is still intact after this jolt that shook him like an earthquake… for sneezing causes a disturbing movement in the body… It was said (concerning the origin of the word “tashmeet” [which is translated here as “saying ‘yarhamuk Allaah’, but the original meaning is to tell someone to rejoice at another’s ‘misfortune’]): this is telling him to feel joyful because he has annoyed the Shaytaan by praising Allaah for the blessing of sneezing and its association with things that Allaah likes. When a person mentions Allaah and praises Him, this annoys the Shaytaan in several ways, for example: the act of sneezing itself, which Allaah likes; his praising Allaah for it; the Muslims praying for mercy for him; and his prayer for them to be guided. All of this annoys the Shaytaan and makes him upset, so the believer is told to rejoice over this annoyance of his enemy. Praying for mercy for the one who sneezes is called tashmeet because it implies that he should rejoice over the annoyance of his enemy. This is a good meaning which people should bear in mind when they sneeze or say ‘yarhamuk Allaah’ to one who sneezes, and they should appreciate the blessing of sneezing for the body and mind, and understand why Allaah likes it. Praise be to Allaah as is His due for He is the Most Generous and Majestic.

The scholar Ibn Muflih al-Hanbali (may Allaah have mercy on him) reported that Imaam Ibn Hubayrah said: “Al-Raazi reported from some doctors: sneezing is not a sign of the onset of sickness, unless it is accompanied by catarrh.” Ibn Hubayrah said: “If a person sneezes, this is an indication of good health, sound digestion and physical strength, so he should praise Allaah. This is why the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to praise Allaah.”

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WHEN ONE OF YOU YAWNS, HE SHOULD TRY TO RESTRAIN IT

Narrated by AbuSa'id al-Khudri(Radhiallaho anho):
Allah's Messenger (sallAllaahu `alaihi wasallam) said: When one of you yawns, he should try to restrain it with the help of his hand since it is the Satan that enters therein. [ Sahih Muslim Number 7131 ]

Sis Aisya note: Yawning is cause by the satan, so it is not advisable to open your mouth and yawn. The full opening of the mouth allows the unseen to enter the mouth.

Other related hadith regarding yawning:

The Prophet (PBUH) said:
1) "When you yawn, cover your mouth with your hand." (Muslim)

2) "Try as hard as possible to overcome your yawns while you are in your prayers". (Muslim)

3) "Allah likes the sneeze and dislikes the yawn. When someone amongst you makes a sound like "aah aah" while yawning, the shaitan (satan) laughs in his open mouth." (Tirmadhi)

4) "Allah likes the sneeze and dislikes the yawn. When someone among you sneezes and says: 'Alhamdulillah' (All praise to Allah [for relieving me]), it is essential for all those who hear him to say: "yarhamukallah" (May Allah have mercy on you). While if someone feels that he is about to yawn, he should try to overcome it, as much as possible [and if it is not possible to overcome it] he must not make sounds like: "haah haah". These sounds are prompted by the shaitan (satan) and he laughs when you make such sounds [while yawning]". (Tirmadhi)