Answered by: Maulana Naieem Mohammad
Question
For a woman who is with her Mahārim in salāt (like current prayers in quarantine), in the case of the necessity of Fath ‘Alā Al- Imām, will she still only clap, or can she do verbal luqmah?
Is the cause for clapping ‘Mā huwa astaru lahā’ or for hijāb?
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
May Allah increase you in beneficial knowledge, your question is in reference to a very famous Hadith, and before we answer, we must understand that hadith, ”Tasbeeh is for the men and clapping is for the women” (referring to the prompting of the Musallees if the Imam makes a mistake).[1]
The jurists mention that the prohibition for women to give the tasbeeh as a prompt to the Imam is a precaution to prevent non-mahram men from being tempted by their voices during the Salaat. This is the reason why women are not allowed to give Azaan.[2]Thus if a woman beautifies her voice and makes it entertaining or tempting to non-mahram men, it will be disallowed.
The actual speaking/voices of women are not part of their Awrah (hijab) but the prohibition is against them beautifying their voices, singing, Azaan, etc. because speaking with a woman or discussing something with her due to a necessity is allowed.[3]
In conclusion, if a woman makes the tasbeeh or gives luqmah to her mahram whilst in Salaat, and there are no non-mahram men present and there is no possibility of temptation, then this will be allowed because she will not be breaking the hijab.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Naieem Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham