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Q & A --> Family and Gender Relations --> The Ruling for Ululating and Clapping Hands at Weddings

Question : A question was asked regarding [the validity of] ululating and clapping hands at weddings.

Fatwa in Brief: Ululation is not permitted because a woman’s voice should not be heard by men, other than by her husband and those within her immediate family [literally, her voice is “‘awra”]. In contrast, clapping is permitted to women, when they need to draw men’s attention [for any reason].

Shaykh Ibn Jebrin

Response:

A woman’s voice may be heard by men other than her husband and those belonging to her immediate family [thus it is not “‘awra”]. Ululation is permitted if it is done in a way that is not intended to seduce men; [and thus] it is least problematic when it occurs in the company of women. Clapping is not an act of worship; it is not a means of drawing closer to God; and there is no prohibition against it.

Commentary:

The question of whether or not it is permitted for women to ululate at weddings is permitted on the basis of the same legal principles that allow her to sing [at weddings]. When it is not affected or intended to seduce, a woman’s voice is not “‘awra” [see immediately above for definition]. Ululations are permitted, especially if they occur between women and are not heard by men unknown to the women. However, if the tone of the ululation is intended to provoke a man [to lust], it is not permitted.

Regarding clapping, God says about non-Muslims (kuffar):

“… their prayers… was but whistling and … clapping”. (Q. 6: 35)

And, the people of Quraysh used to circumambulate the Ka‘ba naked, whistling and clapping. [At the time] They believed such acts allowed them to draw near to their gods. The clapping mentioned here, however, does not relate to people trying to draw near to, or worship, God. Rather, in these cases, such acts are mere traditions, or customs, by which some people express themselves. And there is nothing in the law that prevents such expressions. Despite this, however, it is better that such acts [clapping, ululating] do not happen in parties in mosques. This is a sign that Muslims wish to avoid imitating the non-believers in their rituals.

According to the Fatwa Centre, under the Supervision of Dr. ‘Abdullah al-Faqih:

Scholars disagree regarding the validity of ululating [in Islam]. Such disagreements arise from [a variety of] contrasting opinions regarding the legal status of a woman’s voice, and whether or not this [the voice] constitutes a form of ‘awra. The preferred opinion [here] is that it is not ‘awra. Thus, ululating is permitted, providing that there is no danger that it may seduce or stir the lusts of men.

And God knows best.

Dr. Anas Abu Shadi