With regard to this post on what to recite when hearing a sneeze:
I have come across a similar narration in Al Hisnul Hasin, which doesn’t have the word ‘سمعها’ [i.e. The Hadith would then mean a person should recite this du’a when sneezing and not when hearing a sneeze]. Is this narration correct?
Will the Hadith then have two possible meanings, i.e. A person should recite this when he sneezes or hears a sneeze?
Answer
Al Hisnul Hasin authored by ‘Allamah Jazari (rahimahullah) is not a primary Hadith source. ‘Allamah Jazari (rahimahullah) has referenced this narration to Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (Al Hisnul Hasin, pg. 119). The words in Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (Hadith: 30430) are as follows:
…من قال عند كل عطسة يسمعها
Although it is possible that his manuscript could have had the words that he has cited, we should ideally stick to what can be sourced in the available primary sources, especially in light of the below:
1. Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration in Al Adabul Mufrad (Hadith: 926) under the chapter, ‘Whoever hears a sneeze should say Alhamdulillah…’
2. Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded the following narration [with a weak chain] which further clarifies that the person who hears the sneeze is also encouraged to say ‘Alhamdulillah’:
Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever praises Allah before the one who sneezes, will be protected from pain on his hip and toothache.
(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 7137, Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 6220)
Therefore based on the above, the virtue mentioned here is restricted to the one who hears the sneeze.
3. Also see: Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 414.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar