𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (451)

Ruling on Responding to a Child’s Sneeze and Saying “Bismillāh” on Their Behalf Question: What is the ruling on saying “Yarḥamukullāh” (responding to a sneeze) for a child, and saying “Bismillāh” (on behalf of a child) before breastfeeding or eating? Sheikh Najeeb Ash-Shar’abi ḥafidhahullāh: As for responding to a child’s sneeze, if the child has not yet begun to speak, then tashmīt (saying "Yarḥamukullāh") is not done for them. Likewise, if the child has begun to speak but has not been taught to say “Alḥamdulillāh” after sneezing, or has been taught but neglects to say it out of carelessness or forgetfulness, then they should also not be responded to. This is because tashmīt is legislated only for the one who sneezes and praises Allāh. Similarly, there is no evidence to support saying “Bismillāh” on behalf of a child. I recall that some women in our country would say to a sneezing child: “Shabbak war-shud” (meaning: “May you grow up and become mature and upright”), as a supplication for the child to reach adulthood and guidance. However, there is no evidence to support this practice. Ibn Mufliḥ mentioned in Al-Ādāb Ash-Shar‘iyyah (vol. 2, pp. 343–344) that the author of Ar-Ri‘āyah Al-Kubrā said: “It is said to a small child under three years of age: ‘Būrika fīk’ (May you be blessed).” He also reported that Shaykh ‘Abdil-Qādir added: “Wa jabarakallāh” (May Allāh strengthen you).” ‘Abdullāh ibn Aḥmad narrated from Al-Ḥasan that when asked about a small child who sneezes, he said: “It is said to him: ‘Būrika fīk’.” The author of An-Nadhm said: “If a child sneezes and has been taught to say ‘Alḥamdulillāh’, then it may be said to him ‘Yarḥamukallāh’ or ‘Būrika fīk’, or similar expressions, and he should be taught the proper reply. If he is still very young, his guardian or those present may praise Allāh on his behalf and say to him something appropriate.” However, all of this is subject to scrutiny and lacks any authentic evidence. It may even fall under the category of innovation (bid‘ah). For this reason, Ibn Mufliḥ (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: “A person who has no intellect or discernment is not addressed with such rulings. Performing an act on their behalf would require that they be addressed (by the Shari‘ah), and this is not established; hence, no such act is to be done. Pure physical acts of worship intended for reward are not performed on behalf of the living, by unanimous agreement.” He further said: “Those without intellect or discernment existed during the time of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions (may Allāh be pleased with them). If saying 'Bismillāh' on their behalf had been legislated, it would have become widely known and transmitted by the later generations, due to the common occurrence and necessity of the matter. Since nothing of the sort has been reported, this indicates that it is not legislated nor considered valid. In fact, from the reports regarding taḥnīk (putting a date in a newborn’s mouth), one may infer that Bismillāh was not said, because the narrators never mentioned it — and the default assumption is its absence. And Allāh knows best.” In Kashf Al-Qinā‘ (vol. 2, p. 158) and Maṭālib Ūli An-Nuhā (vol. 1, p. 945), it is reported: “A young boy who had not reached puberty sneezed in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘Alhamdulillāhi Rabbil-‘Ālamīn’. The Prophet ﷺ said to him: ‘May Allāh bless you, O boy.’” This was narrated by Al-Ḥāfidh As-Silafī in his Intikhāb. However, the narrator concludes: “This narration is not authentic, and therefore cannot be used as evidence.” Source: https://t.me/qweasdzxcmnblkjpoik/4010