Du'a for kids · Through the day

Du'a for sneezing (and the reply)

When we sneeze we say “Alhamdulillah”. The person who hears says “Yarhamukallah”, and we answer “Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum”.

Ages 2–8AudioFree card

Teacher review under way.

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ

Alhamdulillah

“All praise is for Allah.”

The person who hears says

يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ

Yarhamukallah

“May Allah have mercy on you.”

The one who sneezed answers

يَهْدِيكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ

Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum

“May Allah guide you and set your affairs right.”

For little ones

What it means

“Achoo! Thank You, Allah!”

The moment

When we say it

Right after we sneeze. Then the person who hears us replies, and we answer them back.

Learn the word: Alhamdulillah

Teach it

How to teach it in 3 steps

  1. Step 1: Play “Achoo!” — take turns pretend-sneezing while everyone else gives the reply.

  2. Step 2: Teach one part at a time: first “Alhamdulillah”, then “Yarhamukallah”, then the answer.

  3. Step 3: Sneeze into an elbow or a tissue — good manners and clean hands go together.

Questions parents ask

Is it “Yarhamukallah” for everyone?

To a boy or man it's “Yarhamukallah”; to a girl or woman many say “Yarhamukillah”. Ask your teacher.

What if the person doesn't say Alhamdulillah?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that the reply is for someone who praises Allah after sneezing (Sahih Muslim 2992) — so a gentle reminder to say “Alhamdulillah” helps children learn the whole exchange.

Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 6224 · Hisn al-Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim)

Families and madhhabs differ on some details — ask your teacher.