Knowledge & Devotion · Adab of Daily Life

Islamic Etiquette in Daily Interactions

Test your knowledge of Islamic practices related to eating, sneezing, and sleeping.

3 questions · Hard · about 2 minutes

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3 questions, about 2 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 3 questions.

1. What is the ruling on smelling food or drink in a way that causes one’s breath to reach it?

  • It is not allowed. (correct answer)
  • It is recommended.
  • It is obligatory before eating.
  • It is always allowed, even if one breathes onto the food.

Why

Islam forbids breathing or blowing into vessels of food or drink because it may contaminate them or put others off. Smelling food or drink is not automatically haram if it is done from a distance and no breath reaches it, especially when there is a need to know what the food is. But if smelling is done so close that breath from the nose reaches the food or drink, then it is not allowed.

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2. What should a Muslim say to someone who sneezes and praises Allah?

  • Yarhamuk Allah. (correct answer)
  • MashaAllah.
  • Subhanallah.
  • Jazak Allahu khayran.

Why

When a Muslim sneezes and says “Al-hamdu Lillah,” the one who hears them should say “Yarhamuk Allah,” meaning “May Allah have mercy on you.” If the sneezer does not praise Allah, then “Yarhamuk Allah” should not be said to them. The sneezer then responds by praying for guidance and rectification for the one who made du‘a for them.

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3. After someone says “Yarhamuk Allah” to a sneezer, what may the sneezer say in response?

  • Yahdikum Allah wa yuslihu balakum. (correct answer)
  • Bismillah before every sneeze.
  • La hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah only.
  • Nothing may be said after “Yarhamuk Allah.”

Why

Several authentic forms are narrated for the dhikr and du‘a connected to sneezing. The sneezer may praise Allah by saying “Al-hamdu Lillah,” “Al-hamdu Lillah ‘ala kulli hal,” or “Al-hamdu Lillah Rabb il-‘Alamin.” When someone says “Yarhamuk Allah” to the sneezer, the sneezer may respond with “Yahdikum Allah wa yuslihu balakum,” and other authentic responses are also mentioned by the scholars.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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