Clapping And Beat Boxing

Clapping

ALLĀH  F says in the Qur’ān:

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

There is indeed a good model for you in the Messenger of ALLĀH F for the one who has hope in ALLĀH F and the Last Day, and remembers ALLĀH F profusely. (33/22)

Verily ALLĀH F has perfected this religion and guided mankind not only the way of worship, but in all expects of life.  Islām is not only the name for the five daily prayers, giving alms, and fasting.  Islām is a complete way of life.  It teaches its followers how they must act and react in every occasion.  When a person is afflicted with a calamity or hears dreadful news, Shariah teaches him to recite Ina lillahi wa Ina ilahi Rajioon.  ALLĀH F says in the Qur’ān: 

الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

(The patient ones are) those who, when a suffering visits them, say “We certainly belong to ALLĀH F and to Him we are bound to return. (2/156)

By saying this, a person is affirming his Imān and expressing his submission to the will of ALLĀH F.  Verily this is sign of a true believer.  In each aspect of life his life he reminds himself of the greatness of ALLĀH F. In the same manner, Sharīʿah also teaches us how we must react when we are blessed with good news.  ALLĀH F  gives us the incident of the advice of a brother to his sibling who was blessed with wealth: 

وَلَوْلَا إِذْ دَخَلْتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلْتَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ

Why, when you entered your garden, did you not say, “(Everything is) as ALLĀH F wills.  There is no power except with ALLĀH F?” (18/39)

The ʿUlamā have written that when a person sees any bounty of Allah ALLĀH F, then he should recite these words (Mashallah La Quwata Ila Billah).  In saying this, he is praising ALLĀH F and attributing all power to Him.  Rasūlullāh H would always praise ALLĀH F by saying ‘Allahu Akbar’, ‘Subhanallah’, ‘Mashallah’, etc. upon hearing good news or witnessing any blessing of ALLĀH F.

In today’s time, people have forgotten this practice of Rasūlullāh H and instead of praising ALLĀH F they clap their hands out of joy and happiness. 

Firstly, one should adopt the sunnah of the Rasūlullāh H in all occasions, whether it be a joyous occasion or a moment of sorrow.  Clapping has never been the way of Rasūlullāh H , his Companions, or the pious predecessors.

Secondly, clapping in the house of ALLĀH F was the practice of the enemies of Islām.  ALLĀH F says: 

وَمَا كَانَ صَلَاتُهُمْ عِنْدَ الْبَيْتِ إِلَّا مُكَاءً وَتَصْدِيَةً فَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ

And their prayer near the House was not more than whistling and clapping.  So, taste the punishment, because you used to disbelieve. (8/35)

In the commentary of this verse, Mujahid V says, “They (the enemies) did this to disturb the prayer of Rasūlullāh H.”

Once, Abū Bakr I was leading the prayers in the absence of Rasūlullāh H.  Rasūlullāh H  came after the salah had already commenced.  The followers started clapping their hands in order to inform Abū Bakr I that Rasūlullāh H came.  Upon finishing the salah, Rasūlullāh H addressed the people saying: 

ما لى رأيتكم أكثرتم التصفيق من نابه شىء فى صلاته فليسبح فإنه إذا سبح التفت إليه وإنما التصفيح للنساء

“Why is this that I see people clapping in their ṣalāh? If something occurs while a person is in salah, then he should say ‘Subhanallah’.  By saying ‘Subhanallah’, you will draw his attention to it.  Verily clapping is for women.” (Sahih al-Bukhari vol. 1 pg. 188 Dar al-Fikr)

The Jurists have explained that the clapping for women should be with the inside of her hand hitting on the outside of the other hand.  This is to merely draw the attention to a matter as a woman’s voice may be a cause of fitnah.  The procedure of her clapping is also designed in a way to eliminate any fitnah. 

أما النساء فإنهن يصفقن للحديث وكيفيته أن تضرب بظهور أصابع اليمنى على صفحة الكف من اليسرى ولأن في صوتهن فتنة فكره لهن التسبيح كذا في غاية البيان

 As for women, they will clap their hands as mentioned in hadith.  The manner of doing it is by hitting the fingers of the right hand on the outside of the left hand.  Since there is fitnah in their voice, Tasbeeh is disliked for them.  (Al-Bahr al-Ra’iq 2/18 Maktaba Rashidiya)

This is different from the known and popular method of clapping by hitting the inner palms against each other.  This is the way of the kuffar.  In today’s time, clapping and applauding has become part of the culture of the kuffar.  In gatherings, meetings, shows, etc. they express their happiness and agreement by clapping their hands. Rasūlullāh H  has advised us to refrain from resembling the kuffar in actions which has become their culture.  It is narrated in the well-known hadith:

من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم

Whosoever imitates a nation is from them. (Abū Dāwūd)

Beat Boxing 

Beatboxing (also beatbox, beat box or b-box) is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one’s mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments.

Beatboxing is not permissible as it involves music.