What is the ruling on clapping in schools?
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The questioner : I say regarding this, meaning there is a discussion on the issue of clapping in schools, O Shaykh. I do not know what the correct opinion is in this matter.
The Shaykh : Clapping in schools to encourage students is permissible, because there is no evidence for its prohibition or for it being disliked.
The questioner : Imitating them, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Imitating whom?
The questioner : The disbelievers?
The Shaykh : No, there is no imitation. All Muslims do this now. All Muslims do this. Imam Malik and Ibn Hajar also mentioned, transmitting from him in *Fath al-Bari*, that when a thing becomes widespread among Muslims and disbelievers, the imitation is removed. Because imitation means doing what is specific to the disbelievers. So when the specificity is removed, it is not imitation. As for one who does it for the sake of amusement, like those who clap at songs, this is from the forbidden amusement. And as for what they do as an act of worship, like the Sufis and their like, this is more severe. This is a blameworthy religious innovation and it resembles the prayer of the polytheists at the Sacred House, about which Allah said:[Al-Anfal 8:35] But it does not mean that by saying it is permissible to clap to encourage students, we are ordering them to do it. No, we do not order them, but we do not forbid them.
Yes, on the right. I took it. I think I took the question. What... did the question pass you? Did the question pass you? That is it. If it passed you, let it pass. Give it to the brother. Yes.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : It is open.
The questioner : It is open, yes.
The Shaykh : He must hear what is being heard. Look, now he is hearing.
The questioner : Yes, now he is hearing.
The Shaykh : Fine.
The Shaykh : Clapping in schools to encourage students is permissible, because there is no evidence for its prohibition or for it being disliked.
The questioner : Imitating them, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Imitating whom?
The questioner : The disbelievers?
The Shaykh : No, there is no imitation. All Muslims do this now. All Muslims do this. Imam Malik and Ibn Hajar also mentioned, transmitting from him in *Fath al-Bari*, that when a thing becomes widespread among Muslims and disbelievers, the imitation is removed. Because imitation means doing what is specific to the disbelievers. So when the specificity is removed, it is not imitation. As for one who does it for the sake of amusement, like those who clap at songs, this is from the forbidden amusement. And as for what they do as an act of worship, like the Sufis and their like, this is more severe. This is a blameworthy religious innovation and it resembles the prayer of the polytheists at the Sacred House, about which Allah said:
And their prayer at the House was not except whistling and handclapping
وَمَا كَانَ صَلاتُهُمْ عِنْدَ الْبَيْتِ إِلاَّ مُكَاءً وَتَصْدِيَةًYes, on the right. I took it. I think I took the question. What... did the question pass you? Did the question pass you? That is it. If it passed you, let it pass. Give it to the brother. Yes.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : It is open.
The questioner : It is open, yes.
The Shaykh : He must hear what is being heard. Look, now he is hearing.
The questioner : Yes, now he is hearing.
The Shaykh : Fine.