Is it permissible to say "Yarhamuk Allah" to someone who sneezes during the Friday sermon?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 2026
The jurists differed on the ruling of saying "Yarhamukallah" (may Allah have mercy on you) to someone who sneezes during the Friday sermon. The Hanafis and Malikis disliked it. The Shafi'i in his old opinion and Ahmad in one narration prohibited it. However, the Hanbalis in the most sound opinion of their and the Shafi'is in their new opinion permitted it. Those who permitted it based their view on the general command to say "Yarhamukallah" and on the permissibility granted by early Muslims such as Al-, Ash-Sha'bi, An-Nakha'i, Al-Hakam, Qatadah, Ath-Thawri, and Ishaq. The disagreement on this issue is old and should not be a cause for discord.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported
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