Good manners for kids · At home

Yawning and sneezing manners

In Islam we cover our mouth when we yawn. When we sneeze we say “Alhamdulillah”, the listener says “Yarhamukallah”, and we answer “Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum”.

Ages 2–8SongTalk promptsFamily activity

Teacher review under way.

Read it together

What it means for little ones

When a yawn comes, we cover our mouth with our hand and try to keep it small. When we sneeze, we use a tissue or our elbow and say “Alhamdulillah”. The people who hear us say “Yarhamukallah”.

From the Sunnah

Where it comes from

Our Prophet (peace be upon him) taught: when you sneeze, say Alhamdulillah; whoever hears you says Yarhamukallah; and you answer, Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum. He also taught us to cover our mouths when we yawn.

Sahih al-Bukhari 6224

Sing itBig Yawn, Little HandSing it first — the song gives your child the words and the moves.Watch on YouTube ↗

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ

Alhamdulillah

“All praise is for Allah.”

Learn more: Du'a for sneezing (and the reply)

Little habits

What it looks like

Cover your mouth when you yawn
Sneeze into a tissue or your elbow
Say “Alhamdulillah” after a sneeze
Reply “Yarhamukallah” when someone else sneezes

Talk about it

Questions to ask

What do we say after we sneeze?
What do we say when someone else sneezes?
Why do you think we cover our mouths?

Family activity · 5 minutes

Achoo! game

Step 1: Take turns doing a big pretend sneeze — “Aaa-choo!”
Step 2: The sneezer says “Alhamdulillah”; everyone else says “Yarhamukallah”.
Step 3: The sneezer answers “Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum”.
Step 4: Switch to yawns: everyone covers their mouth with a hand. Silliest yawn wins!

Habit chartMake a chart for the fridgeTry lines like “I covered my yawn”, “I said Alhamdulillah after sneezing” — stars and moons, never crosses.Open Chart Studio →PlayWhat do we say?Before eating, after a sneeze, meeting a friend… listen to the little story and tap what Muslims say.Play free →All mannersMore good mannersEating, drinking, salaam, sharing, honesty and more.See them all →

Du'as and words for this: Du'a for sneezing (and the reply) · Alhamdulillah — meaning

Questions parents ask

Why is yawning different from sneezing?

We thank Allah after a sneeze. A yawn often means we're tired, so we cover it and try to keep it small — and maybe it's time for a rest!

Do we reply to every sneeze?

We reply when the person says “Alhamdulillah” — the Prophet (peace be upon him) answered the man who praised Allah after sneezing, and not the one who didn't (Sahih al-Bukhari 6221). With children, gently remind them to say it so the whole exchange can happen.

Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 6224 · Sahih Muslim 2995 · Sahih al-Bukhari 6223 · Sahih al-Bukhari 6221

Qur'an references are checked on quran.com and hadith on sunnah.com; a teacher review is under way. Families and madhhabs differ on some details — ask your teacher.

Printable

Dua After Sneezing Poster for Kids

A sneezing manners poster that shows children the three-part exchange the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught: the sneezer says Alhamdulillah, a friend says Yarhamuk-Allah, and the sneezer replies.

Open →

Parent tool