SNEEZING ACCORDING TO TRADITIONS & SCIENTIFIC According to Salih binAbi-Hammad: I asked Imam al-Rida -a.

s- about the reason behind thanking Allah for the sneeze. He said: Sometimes man forgets Allahs blessings regarding his health and the soundness of his body parts. So, Allah would command the breeze to pass through his body and get out from his nose. Then, man would thank Allah and that would be a compensation for his forgetfulness. [Reference: Al Wasal, from the book of guidelines of companionship] Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: Thank Allah in secret if you sneeze in the toilet; and the one who sneezes is safe from dying for seven days. [Al-Bihar, Vol.73: p.53] The Prophet (s.a.w) said: When someone sneezes more than three times (in a row), you must say to him, may Allah cure you for he is ill. [Reference: Al-Wasal, from the book of guidelines of companionship] Imam Jafer al-Sadiq (a.s) said: If you sneeze during meditating, say God). [Reference: Al-Wasal, from the book of prayer interruption] Al-hamdu-lillah (praise be to

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: When someone is saying something and somebody sneezes, this means that he is saying the truth. [Reference: Al-Wasal, from the book of guidelines of companionship] According to Ahmad binMohammad binAbi-Baseer: I heard Imam al-Rida -a.s- say: Yawning is attributed to Satan and sneezing is attributed to Almighty Allah. [Refer ence: Al-Wasal, from the book of guidelines of companionship] the typical response to a sneeze is ( yarhamkom Allah) and the answer is (yarhamkom wa yarhamna) or ( thank you). However, it is more common to say Alhamdo lel lah i.e "All praise is for Allah (God)", to which people will respond Yarhamokomo Allah, meaning "God Bless you Once Imam Baqir (a.s) was asked, What is your opinion regarding the sneeze? Imam replied, Though apparently it comes out through the nose, actually it comes out from all over the body. Have you not observed that the whole body shakes during a sneeze? Remember! The person who sneezes, is assured of health for seven days.

SOURCES: Brendan J. Canning, PhD, associate professor of medicine, Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center; J. Owen Hendley, MD, professor of pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine; Ronald Turner, professor of pediatrics, associate dean for clinical research, University of Virginia School of Medicine; Manuel SeijoMartinez, MD, head of medical services, Hospital do Salnes, Villagarcia de Arosa, Pontevedra, Spain | Reporting By Sally Squires And Brenna Maloney; Graphic By James Smallwood, The Washington Post | Interactive by Brian Cordyack, washingtonpost.com