What is the ruling on men clapping in parties or lectures?

Clapping is not mentioned in Islamic law as part of worship, except for women in prayer when there is a need to alert someone. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Clapping is only for women." Clapping during adhkar (remembrances) and awrad (litany of devotions) is an innovation (bid'ah) and misguidance, and it resembles the actions of the polytheists at the Kaaba; Allah Almighty said: ﴿And their prayer at the House was nothing but whistling and clapping.﴾

As for men clapping in celebrations and the like, which are not acts of worship, the least that can be said is that it is disliked (makrooh). Some scholars have gone as far as to prohibit it due to its resemblance to the actions of polytheists and women. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen and Sheikh Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on them both, were asked about the ruling on clapping in celebrations. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen's summarized answer was that refraining from clapping is preferable and better, but it is not forbidden. Sheikh Ibn Baz, on the other hand, held that clapping in celebrations is an act of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance), and the least that can be said about it is that it is disliked, while the stronger evidence points to its prohibition due to its resemblance to disbelievers and women.

Sheikh Bakr Abu Zayd said: "Worshipping through clapping is an innovation of misguidance and a deviation from the purified Sharīʿah. Therefore, it must be avoided as an act of worship, and it must be prevented. If clapping during worship is an innovation of misguidance, then adopting it as a custom in gatherings and meetings for encouragement or astonishment is a reprehensible resemblance and a disobedience that must be denounced." The Muslim servant should fear Allah in what he does and refrains from, and he should be certain about what he attributes to the purified Sharīʿah.