Assalaamu alaykum. What is the ruling on those who say ‘Bismillaah’ (in the name of Allaah) before doing a sin or say ‘Alhamdulillaah’ (Praise be to Allah) after commiting a sin?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Saying Bismillah before committing a sin is considered a sin that necessitates repentance. The same applies to saying Alhamdulillah after committing a sin. If this is done out of mockery and ridicule, it takes the doer out of the fold of Islam.

At-Tahaawi wrote about the ruling on saying Bismillah before committing a prohibited deed:

“At times, it is prohibited to say it, such as when a person is committing adultery, having sexual intercourse with a menstruating woman, drinking alcohol, or consuming unjustly-seized food or stolen food before seeking the pardon of the rightful owner or paying the due compensation. The most likely correct view is that if the doer believes such an act to be lawful, he is declared a disbeliever; otherwise, he is not declared as such and he must repent to Allah, unless he did this out of ridicule; in this case, he is declared a disbeliever as well.” [Haashiyat At-Tahaawi ‘ala Maraaqi Al-Falaah]

Al-Bujayrimi wrote, “The preponderant view is that it is impermissible to say it (Bismillah) before doing acts that are unlawful in themselves, such as adultery and consuming alcohol. The same applies to disliked acts...” [Haashiyat Al-Bujayrimi ‘ala Al-Khateeb]

The same also applies to saying Alhamdulillah while rejoicing at a sin or after committing a prohibited act. At-Tahaawi wrote, “At times, it is prohibited, as in the case when a person rejoices at committing a sin or after consuming ill-gotten food unless he intends praising Allah for the food just because it provides him with nourishment that gives his body strength.” [Haashiyat At-Tahaawi ‘ala Al-Maraaqi]

The Maaliki book As-hal Al-Madaarik reads, “It is prohibited to say Alhamdulillah when rejoicing at the occurrence of a sin.”

Hence, this person should fear Allah, The Almighty, and guard his tongue against saying what Allah has prohibited.

Allah knows best.