Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … From this and other ahadith on this subject, there is clear evidence that for alerting the imam, male followers should say "Subhan Allah" and female followers should clap. If the imam does not understand the purpose behind saying "Subhan Allah" or clapping, he should look towards the followers, and the followers should clarify their intent to him through a gesture. As mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, among the proofs presented for the permissibility of gesturing, the second evidence shows that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu turned around and looked during the prayer, and the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam instructed him to continue his prayer, but he still stepped back, and the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam moved forward.