Is saying “Sadaqa Allaahu al-‘Azeem ” after reciting from Qur’an bid’ah?

Praise be to Allaah.

Many people have the habit of ending a recitation from the Qur’aan
with the words “Sadaqa Allaahu al-‘Azeem (Almighty Allaah has spoken the
truth),” but this has no basis in Islam because the Prophet
(peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) did not do it, nor was it the custom of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be
pleased with them), 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” [Aal
‘Imraan 3:95 – interpretation of the meaning], and people liked this. But this istihsaan
(being liked) should be rejected, because if this was really something good, the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), 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” (Aal
‘Imraan 3:95 – interpretation of the meaning) does not mean that these words
should be said at the end of any reading or recitation. If that were the case, He would
have said, “When you finish reading, say ‘Allaah has spoken the
truth,’” just as He said (interpretation of the meaning): “So when you
want to recite the Qur’aan, seek refuge with Allaah from Shaytaan (Satan), the
outcast (the cursed one).” [al-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
Isra’eel except what Isra’eel had made unlawful for himself. Allaah said
(interpretation of the meaning): “… Say (O Muhammad): ‘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 zaalimoon (disbelievers). Say
(O Muhammad), ‘Allaah has spoken the truth; follow the religion of Ibraaheem (Islamic
monotheism, i.e., he used to worship Allaah alone), and he was not of al-mushrikeen
(polytheists).” [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
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Because this is not the case, we
know that this is not what was meant.

In conclusion, therefore, saying “Sadaqa Allaahu al-‘Azeem”
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
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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 from of him, then he said: “Indeed Allaah has spoken the
truth: ‘Your wealth and your children are only a trial…’ [al-Taghaabun
64:15 – interpretation of the meaning].”