What is the ruling on clapping in Islam, and is it prohibited, especially when encouraging children to do something permissible?
Clapping at parties is an act of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance), and its least severe ruling is Makrooh (disliked), while the more preponderant view is Tahreef (prohibition). This is due to the prohibition for Muslims from imitating disbelievers. Allah described the disbelievers by saying: (And their prayer at the House was nothing but whistling and clapping) [ Al-Anfal, 8:35]. Al-Muka’ is whistling, and Al-Tasdiyah is clapping. The for a believer upon seeing something that pleases him is to say: Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah) or Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest). Clapping is permissible for women only if something happens to them in prayer or if the Imam makes a mistake, while men should alert him by glorifying Allah (Tasbeeh). Clapping by men involves imitating disbelievers and women. Men should not clap to playfully engage with children or encourage them, as it is a characteristic of Jahiliyyah and a specific way for women to alert in prayer. Children can be encouraged by saying Allahu Akbar or by appropriate praise.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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