The answer is that saying “Subhan Allah” is appropriate when the imam has made an omission due to forgetfulness or error. It is therefore fitting that he be alerted by saying “Subhan Allah,” which declares Allah to be free of every deficiency.

His statement, “with the palm of one hand upon the back of the other,” means that she strikes the palm of one hand against the back of the other.

Some scholars said: with the back of one hand against the palm of the other.

And some scholars (1) said: with the palm of one hand against the palm of the other, as is commonly done by women today.

In any case, the matter is broad: whether the clapping is done with the back of the hand against the palm, the palm against the back, or palm against palm.

What matters is that she should not say “Subhan Allah” in the presence of men …

Issue: Suppose that a follower says “Subhan Allah,” but the imam does not notice; then he says it a second time, but the imam still does not notice. Perhaps he says it in order to make him stand, or says it in order to make him sit. What should he do?

The answer: Some scholars said that he should verbally inform him of the error in his prayer, saying: “Bow … Sit … Stand …” Those who hold that he may say this then differed as to whether the prayer is invalidated by it or not (2).

Some of them said that it is not invalidated, because this is speech for the benefit of the prayer, not ordinary human speech. That is, he did not intend thereby to converse with another person; rather, he intended to rectify the prayer.