The Ruling on Clapping in Celebrations
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Q: What is the ruling on men clapping at occasions and celebrations?
A: Clapping at celebrations is from the practices of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance (jahiliyyah). The least that can be said about it is that it is disliked (makruh), but the more apparent view based on the evidence is that it is forbidden (haram). This is because Muslims are prohibited from imitating the disbelievers. Allah the Exalted said in describing the disbelievers from the people of Makkah: [Al-Anfal: 35]. The scholars said: "Muka'" is whistling, and "tasdiyah" is clapping. It is a recommended practice (sunnah) for a believer, when he sees or hears something he likes or something he disapproves of, to say: "Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah), or to say: "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest), as this is authentically established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in many hadiths.
Clapping is prescribed (mashru') specifically for women if something happens to them during prayer, or if they are with men and the imam makes a mistake in the prayer; in that case, it is prescribed (mashru') for them to alert him by clapping. As for men, they alert him by saying "Subhan Allah," as this is authentically established in the Sunnah from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). By this, it is known that clapping by men involves imitating the disbelievers and imitating women, and both of these are prohibited. And success is from Allah.
A: Clapping at celebrations is from the practices of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance (jahiliyyah). The least that can be said about it is that it is disliked (makruh), but the more apparent view based on the evidence is that it is forbidden (haram). This is because Muslims are prohibited from imitating the disbelievers. Allah the Exalted said in describing the disbelievers from the people of Makkah:
And their prayer at the House was not except whistling and handclapping
وَمَا كَانَ صَلاتُهُمْ عِنْدَ الْبَيْتِ إِلا مُكَاءً وَتَصْدِيَةًClapping is prescribed (mashru') specifically for women if something happens to them during prayer, or if they are with men and the imam makes a mistake in the prayer; in that case, it is prescribed (mashru') for them to alert him by clapping. As for men, they alert him by saying "Subhan Allah," as this is authentically established in the Sunnah from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). By this, it is known that clapping by men involves imitating the disbelievers and imitating women, and both of these are prohibited. And success is from Allah.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.