Hadith Text & Reference

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The Tasbih is for men and clapping is for women.'" (Sunan an-Nasa'i 1208)

Context & Meaning

This hadith from The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer) addresses the method of alerting the Imam when an error occurs during congregational prayer. Men are instructed to say "Subhanallah" (glory be to Allah) while women are instructed to clap their hands.

The wisdom behind this distinction preserves modesty and prevents intermixing of voices between genders during prayer. Tasbih utilizes the male voice for correction while clapping serves as a discreet, non-vocal signal from women.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam an-Nawawi explains this ruling applies specifically to prayer situations where correction is needed. The prohibition against women using vocal tasbih prevents fitnah (temptation) that could arise from their voices being heard by non-mahram men during worship.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that clapping was deemed appropriate for women because it effectively alerts without compromising Islamic principles of modesty. This ruling demonstrates the Shariah's comprehensive consideration for maintaining proper conduct in worship.

Practical Application

During congregational prayer if a woman notices the Imam has made an error, she should gently clap her hands rather than vocalizing the correction. Men should use the phrase "Subhanallah" quietly to alert the Imam without disrupting the prayer's sanctity.

This teaching reflects the broader Islamic principle of maintaining appropriate gender interactions while fulfilling religious obligations, ensuring both correction and propriety are observed in worship.