SAYING SADAQA ALLAHUL ADHEEM IS A BID'AH  
Author: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen 
Source: Izaalat as-Sitaar an al-Jawaab al-Mukhtaar 
Published: 27th December 2001 

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Many people have the habit of ending a recitation from the Qur'aan
with the words "Sadaqa Allaahul Adheem (Almighty Allaah has spoken
the truth)," but this has no basis in Islaam because the Prophet
(sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) did not do it, nor was it the custom
of the Sahaabah (radiAllaahu `anhum ajma'een), and it was unknown
among the Taabi'een (the generation after the Sahaabah).

This custom arose in later times because some reciters would say
these words, on the basis of the aayah,

"Say: Allaah has spoken the truth" [Soorah Aal `Imraan (3):95]

and people liked this. But this istihsaan (being liked) should be
rejected, because if this was really something good, the Prophet
(sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam), the Sahaabah and the Taabi'een –
the salaf or first and best generations of the Ummah – would not
have neglected to do it.

The aayah,

"Say: Allaah has spoken the truth" [Soorah Aal `Imraan (3):95]

does not mean that these words should be said at the end of any
reading or recitation. If that were the case, He (Allaah) would have
said, "When you finish reading, say `Allaah has spoken the truth,'"
just as He said,

"So when you want to recite the Qur'aan, seek refuge with Allaah
from Shaytaan (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one)." [Soorah an-
Nahl (16):98]

The aayah which the innovators use to support their practice of
saying "Sadaqa Allaah" after reciting Qur'aan was actually revealed
in the context of confirming what was said about how all food had
been lawful to Bani Israa'eel except what Israa'eel had made
unlawful for himself.

Allaah said,

"… Say (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam): `Bring here the
Tawraat (Torah) and recite it, if you are truthful.' Then, after
that, whosoever shall invent a lie against Allaah, such shall indeed
be the Dhaalimoon (disbelievers). Say (O Muhammad sal-
Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam), `Allaah has spoken the truth; follow the
religion of Ibraaheem Haneefa (Islaamic monotheism, i.e., he used to
worship Allaah alone), and he was not of al-Mushrikoon
(polytheists).'" [Soorah Aal `Imraan (3):93-95]

If this aayah meant that these words should be said after reciting
from the Qur'aan, the first one to know and do this would have been
the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam). Because
this is not the case, we know that this is not what was meant.

In conclusion, therefore, saying "Sadaqa Allaahul Adheem" after
reciting Qur'aan is an innovation, and the Muslim should not say it.

But believing that Allaah has spoken the truth is obligatory, and
whoever disbelieves or doubts the truth of what Allaah has said is a
kaafir who is outside of the pale of Islam. We seek refuge with
Allaah from that.

If a person says "Allaah has spoken the truth" on certain occasions,
such as when something He has foretold comes to pass, affirming the
truth of what He has said, then this is permissible, because
something similar has been reported in the Sunnah. The Prophet (Sal-
Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) was giving a speech, and al-Hasan and al-
Husayn came along, so he came down from the minbar, picked them up
and put them in front of him, then he said,

"Indeed Allaah has spoken the truth: "Your wealth and your children
are only a trial..." [Soorah at-Taghaabun 64:15]"

 
  

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