Sayyiduna Sahl bin Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: Once, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) went to reconcile between the people of Banu Amr bin Awf because there had been a dispute among them, to the extent that they had even thrown stones at each other. During this time, the time for prayer arrived, and Sayyiduna Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) gave the call to prayer (adhan). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained there. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) stepped forward to lead the people in prayer. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived. He came, passing through the rows, and when he reached the row behind Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), the people began to clap their hands. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was a person who did not get distracted during prayer. When he heard the sound of clapping and paid attention, he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gestured to him to remain in his place. So Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) raised his head towards the sky and thanked Allah Almighty, and then stepped back in reverse. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) moved forward, and when he completed the prayer, he said:“O Abu Bakr! When I gestured to you, what prevented you (from acting on my command)?”Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: Allah, the Exalted, would not see the son of Abu Quhafah standing ahead of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) turned to the people and said:“O people! What is the reason that when you needed something during the prayer, you started clapping your hands? Clapping is for women; for men, it is prescribed to say ‘Subhan Allah’. Whoever needs to draw the attention (of the imam) during prayer should say ‘Subhan Allah’.”