Clapping and whistling in Islam?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

There are differences of opinions on the permissibility of clapping and whistling.

Some Ulama consider clapping and whistling as an expression of congratulation, happiness, and joy. Other Ulama dislike whistling and clapping as they are regarded as futile activities (lahw) and the heedless ways of the Kuffar (disbelievers) at the time of ignorance as Allah Ta’ala refers to them in the following verse of the Quran:

وَمَا كَانَ صَلَاتُهُمْ عِندَ الْبَيْتِ إِلَّا مُكَاءً وَتَصْدِيَةً ﴿الأنفال: ٣٥﴾

“Their (the disbelievers) Salah (prayer) at the House (of Allah, i.e. the Ka’ba at Makkah) was nothing but whistling and clapping of hands” (al-Anfal 8:35)

In view of the differences of opinions, we advise against clapping and whistling.

In Islam, we congratulate one another by saying بارك الله (Barakallah: May Allah bless you) and express our happiness and joy by praising Allah Ta’ala and saying الحمد لله (Alhamdu Lillah: All praise is for Allah).

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abdullah Syed Sajid

Student Darul Iftaa
Houston, TX, USA

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

(2020-06-09)