Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbaad was asked:

Question:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

التصفيق للنساء

Clapping is for women

[Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, and others]

Is this specific to prayer or is it general for when she is outside of prayer?

Answer:

“Even outside the prayer. So a woman, when she wants to notify [someone] regarding something, she does not make tasbeeh, – like if someone knocks on the door or is seeking permission – then she does not make tasbeeh. However, she claps”.

[Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 119]

Translated by

Faisal bin Abdul Qaadir bin Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan