Alhamdulillah after a sneeze

Baby Ais gave a small sneeze. Then — this is what made Abi smile — she looked at me, waiting. Because every time she or Baby Mo sneezes, Abi always says "alhamdulillah" then "yarhamukillah".

She can't say it herself yet. But she's memorised the rhythm: sneeze, then a good word follows. She waits for that good word like waiting for the last part of her favourite song.

Tiny adab like this — alhamdulillah after a sneeze — is a gentle way of teaching a child that everything, even a sneeze, connects to Allah. This body is a trust, and we thank Him for how it works.

When one of you sneezes, let him say alhamdulillah. (Bukhari 6224)

Abi said "alhamdulillah" for her, and Baby Ais's face relaxed at once — like a song that finally ends just right.