knocking on his door while he is praying. In that case, the man says, “Subhan Allah,” and the woman claps.

His words, “a man says ‘Subhan Allah’”: that is, he says, “Glory be to Allah.” If the person being alerted notices after one time, he should not repeat it, because it is a prescribed remembrance done for a particular reason, and it ceases when that reason ceases. But if he does not notice the first time, he repeats it, saying “Subhan Allah” a second and third time until the person being alerted notices.

His words, “a man”: what is meant here is a male; adulthood is not a condition. Thus, even if he is an adolescent, he says, “Subhan Allah.”

His words, “and a woman claps”: that is, with her hands. The distinction in ruling between men and women is clear, for a woman should not raise her voice in the presence of men, especially while they are in prayer. If a woman were to say, “Subhan Allah,” it might arouse temptation in a person’s heart, particularly if her voice is beautiful. The Prophet ﷺ informed us that “Satan flows through the son of Adam as blood flows,” (1) and that “He left behind no trial more harmful to men than women.” (2)

His words, “and a woman claps”: the apparent meaning of his statement is general: whether she is with women and no men are present, or she is with men, she does not say, “Subhan Allah,” but rather claps.