What is the ruling on clapping?
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Question:
We have heard your prohibition of clapping, and that of some scholars, in occasions. But today, on "television," this question was directed to Shaykh al-Tantawi, and he said: Clapping in other than worship is permissible and not forbidden. He challenges the scholars to bring evidence for the prohibition of clapping, which has put us in disagreement. We ask you to answer this.
Answer:
Clapping is from the practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance, and it should not be done. Rather, when one is amazed or in awe, one says: Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah), or: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), Allahu Akbar. As for clapping, it is from the practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance. Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Anfal: 35]. The scholars of tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis) said: Al-mikaa' is whistling, and al-tasdiyyah is clapping. This is from the practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance.
As for the Messenger and his Companions, when something that inspires awe came to them, they would say: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, or: Subhan Allah. This is what is prescribed. As for clapping when one is amazed by a sermon, or a piece of advice, or words, this is all contrary to the Sunnah of Allah. What the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prescribed in sermons and advice is takbir (saying Allahu Akbar) and tasbih (saying Subhan Allah). Clapping is the affair of women in prayer; tasbih is for men, and clapping is for women.
So clapping is for women in prayer if something unexpected happens to them, and it is from the practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance in their deeds, sermons, and gatherings.
If Shaykh Ali al-Tantawi said what you mentioned, then it is an error on his part. Al-Tantawi is like anyone else; he is not infallible. Everyone makes mistakes and hits the mark. Every scholar makes mistakes and hits the mark. No one is free from error except the Messengers (peace be upon them), for Allah protected them from error in what they convey from Allah of His religion. As for a single scholar from among the people of knowledge, he may make mistakes and hit the mark according to what Allah facilitates for him of knowledge.
We ask Allah for guidance and success for us, for them, and for him.
The point is that this is the truth: that clapping is from the practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance, and from the practice of non-Muslims today as well, and others followed them. So it is not befitting for a person of intellect to be deceived by the slips of scholars, or the errors of scholars. Every scholar has a slip, and it is not befitting to be deceived by his slip.
We have heard your prohibition of clapping, and that of some scholars, in occasions. But today, on "television," this question was directed to Shaykh al-Tantawi, and he said: Clapping in other than worship is permissible and not forbidden. He challenges the scholars to bring evidence for the prohibition of clapping, which has put us in disagreement. We ask you to answer this.
Answer:
Clapping is from the practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance, and it should not be done. Rather, when one is amazed or in awe, one says: Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah), or: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), Allahu Akbar. As for clapping, it is from the practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance. Allah the Exalted said:
And their prayer at the House was not except whistling and handclapping
وَمَا كَانَ صَلَاتُهُمْ عِنْدَ الْبَيْتِ إِلَّا مُكَاءً وَتَصْدِيَةًAs for the Messenger and his Companions, when something that inspires awe came to them, they would say: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, or: Subhan Allah. This is what is prescribed. As for clapping when one is amazed by a sermon, or a piece of advice, or words, this is all contrary to the Sunnah of Allah. What the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prescribed in sermons and advice is takbir (saying Allahu Akbar) and tasbih (saying Subhan Allah). Clapping is the affair of women in prayer; tasbih is for men, and clapping is for women.
So clapping is for women in prayer if something unexpected happens to them, and it is from the practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance in their deeds, sermons, and gatherings.
If Shaykh Ali al-Tantawi said what you mentioned, then it is an error on his part. Al-Tantawi is like anyone else; he is not infallible. Everyone makes mistakes and hits the mark. Every scholar makes mistakes and hits the mark. No one is free from error except the Messengers (peace be upon them), for Allah protected them from error in what they convey from Allah of His religion. As for a single scholar from among the people of knowledge, he may make mistakes and hit the mark according to what Allah facilitates for him of knowledge.
We ask Allah for guidance and success for us, for them, and for him.
The point is that this is the truth: that clapping is from the practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance, and from the practice of non-Muslims today as well, and others followed them. So it is not befitting for a person of intellect to be deceived by the slips of scholars, or the errors of scholars. Every scholar has a slip, and it is not befitting to be deceived by his slip.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.