◈ The Question
What is the Islamic ruling on saying “Ṣadaqallāh al-‘Aẓīm” (Allah the Almighty has spoken the truth) after finishing the recitation of the Qur’an?◈ The Scholarly Response
Saying “Ṣadaqallāh al-‘Aẓīm” at the end of Qur’an recitation as a regular practice is not established by any authentic Hadith, nor is it reported from the Companions (RA).This practice originated in later times, and although the phrase itself is true in meaning, its repeated, ritualistic use in this specific context is not from the Sunnah.
◈ Clarification by Scholars
- If a person says “Ṣadaqallāh al-‘Aẓīm” believing it to be a part of worship, it becomes an innovation (Bid‘ah), because worship requires explicit evidence from the Shari‘ah.
- The Prophet ﷺ frequently recited the Qur’an, yet no narration exists showing him concluding his recitation with this phrase.
- Example: When ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (RA) recited Surah al-Nisā’ to the Prophet ﷺ and reached the verse:
“فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ...”
the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Hasbuk” (That's enough) — He did not say: “Say Ṣadaqallāh al-‘Aẓīm.”
(Bukhari 4763, Muslim 969)
◈ Permissible Contexts
There is no harm in saying “Ṣadaqallāh al-‘Aẓīm” when affirming a statement or referencing a Qur’anic truth in real-life context, such as:Seeing someone engrossed in wealth and children and saying:
“Ṣadaqallāh al-‘Aẓīm: إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ”
(“Indeed, your wealth and children are only a trial.”)
In such cases, the phrase is used as a confirmation of a divine truth, not as a ritual post-recitation phrase.
◈ Conclusion by Scholars
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn (رحمه الله) stated:- Regularly saying “Ṣadaqallāh al-‘Aẓīm” at the end of Qur’an recitation is not legislated in Islam.
- It is not a Sunnah and should not be viewed as part of Qur’an recitation etiquette.
- It may only be said in contextual affirmation, not ritual repetition.
