English translation
931. Mu'āwiyah bin Al-Ḥakam As-Sulami narrated: "When I first came to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, I knew some matters of the commandments of Islam. And of the matters that I knew, and was told, was that when I sneeze, I should say: 'Al-ḥamdulillāh' (All praise is due to Allāh).' And when someone sneezed and praised Allāh, I should say: 'Yarḥamukallāh' (May Allāh have mercy on you).' So I was once standing in prayer behind the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ when someone sneezed and said: 'Al-ḥamdulillāh' (All praise is due to Allāh).' I responded in a loud voice: 'Yarḥamukallāh' (May Allāh have mercy on you)' So the people began staring at me with their eyes until I could not bear it any longer, and said: 'Why are you glaring at me with annoyed eyes?' But they (responded) with Tashbih. When the Prophet ﷺ completed the prayer, he said: 'Who was the one who spoke?' They replied: 'This bedouin.' The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ called me, and said: 'The prayer is only meant for the recitation of the Qur'an, and the remembrance of Allāh. So when you are engaged in it, then let this be your occupation.' And I never saw any teacher more gentle than the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ." (Hasan)
