Is the saying "May God guide you and set your affairs in order" obligatory like "Yarhamukallah" (May God have mercy on you, said to one who sneezes), or is it merely recommended, given the lack of evidence for its obligation?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The Hanbali school of thought holds that responding to someone who sneezes is obligatory, and this is strongly supported by the apparent command of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: "May Allah guide you and rectify your affairs." It is also narrated: "May Allah forgive us and you." Imam An-Nawawi mentioned that this saying is recommended, not obligatory. However, the first opinion (that of the Hanbali school) is more cautious.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/185934
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 185934
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy