Hadith Text

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The Tasbih is for men, and clapping is for women." Ibn Al-Muthanna added: "During the prayer."

Source Reference

The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer) - Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith 1207

Scholarly Commentary

This hadith establishes the distinct methods for alerting the Imam when a mistake occurs in prayer. For men, the prescribed method is verbal Tasbih (saying "Subhanallah"), while for women, it is physical clapping. This distinction preserves feminine modesty by avoiding raised voices during prayer.

The addition "During the prayer" clarifies this ruling applies specifically to congregational prayers when correcting the Imam's error. Women's clapping serves the same functional purpose as men's Tasbih - to discreetly notify without disrupting the prayer's sanctity.

Classical scholars emphasize this represents the Sunnah method, differing from pre-Islamic practices. The wisdom behind this ruling maintains prayer decorum while ensuring necessary corrections can be made.