The Rules For The Sneezer

(Excerpted from Futuwat namah by Khwaja Husayn Wa’iz Kashifi Sabzawari An Naqshbandi Translated by M. Nur Abdussalam)

As for blessing the sneezer, it consists of replying to his sneeze. There are several rules for both the sneezer and the one answering with a blessing.

If asked: How many are the rules for the sneezer? Say: Four. First, one should cover one’s mouth and nose with one’s sleeve, a handkerchief, or a rag so that anything coming out of the mouth or nose not disgust onlookers. Second, if possible, one should prevent more than three sneezes in succession. If this cannot be done, one should leave the group lest he distress them. Third, one should praise God after sneezing. Fourth, should anyone reply to his sneeze, the sneezer should say: [May God guide you], or something familiar. It is permissible to use Persian in place of Arabic.

If asked: How many are the rules for the person replying to the sneeze? Say: Three. 

1.      One should reply when the sneezer praises God, but if he does not praise God, one should not say anything.

2.      In reply to the sneezer, one should say: God have mercy on you. Persian instead of Arabic is also permissible: May God have mercy upon you and forgive you.

3.   If he sneezes more than three times, one should not reply. Others say that in such a circumstance the reply is optional, but it is better not to do so.