by Asma bint Shameem
The phrase “La Hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah” is called “al-Hawqalah”.
There are many rewards associated with saying the Hawqalah.
For example:
🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:
“O Abdullaah ibn Qays, say La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa Billah, for it is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise.”
(al-Bukhaari 4205, Muslim 2704/44)
🍃The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“Be plentiful in sowing the seeds of Jannah, for indeed its water is sweet and fresh, and its soil is good, thus be plentiful in planting it’s seedlings ‘La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa Billah‘
(at-Tabaraani in ‘Al Mu’jam Al-Kabeer 13354; ‘Hasan’ by al-Albaani in Saheehul Jaami’ 1213)
🍃 And the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Should I not guide you to a word from below the Throne, that is from the treasures of Paradise?
Say La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa Billaah, so Allaah will say, ‘My slave has submitted and surrendered himself.’”
(al-Hakim 54; Saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami 2614)
🍃And the Prophet ﷺ also said:
“Increase in saying ‘La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa Billaah’, for it is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise.”
(Ahmad, 2/333; saheeh by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah 1528)
🍃Al-Nawawi said:
“The scholars said that the reason behind this statement being one of the treasures of Paradise is because it embodies complete submission, entrusting one’s affairs and obedience of Allaah. One acknowledges that there is no Creator other than Him and none can turn back His Command, and that the slave is powerless in his own affairs.”
🍃Ibn Taymiyyah said:
"With the statement 'Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah', one is able to bear heavy burdens, endure horrors, and obtain a high status." (Majmoo' al-Fataawa)
🔺The meaning of “La Hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah”
It means that we as human beings do not have any control over any of our affairs.
We don’t have the means to repel harm nor the ability to attain any good except by Allaah’s Will.
No matter how great or powerful or advanced we become, we still can’t do anything without the help of Allaah Almighty.
We are unable to change bad to good, disobedience to obedience, sickness to health, weakness to strength, deficiency to perfection except by Allaah’s Help.
Whatever Allaah Wills will happen and what He does not Will will not happen.
🍃Shaykh Abd Al-Razzaq al-Badr explains:
"Firstly: What is intended by the word ‘Hawqalah’?
It is a word that is summarised from the statement (La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa Billaah).
This shortening of a phrase in Arabic is done if it was heard from the early Arabs.
It is realised by taking a few letters from a statement to form a single word...
Secondly: The meaning of the statement (La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa Billaah).
The meaning of 'Hawl' is movement, while the meaning of Quwwah is strength.
Thus the meaning of this statement is that there is no movement from one state to another, and neither any strength for the slave to perform any of his affairs, except by Allaah, meaning by His Help and tawfeeq and guidance.
Some statements have been narrated from the Salaf and scholars after them, which further clarify the meaning.
For example, in the statement of Abd-Allaah ibn 'Abbaas:
"We have no power to act obediently except by Allaah, nor do we have strength to leave a sin except by Allaah." This was narrated by ibn Abi Hatim.
Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood, said in explaining its meaning:
"There is no strength to stop sinning against Allaah except by His Protection, and no power to obey Him except with His Help."
🔺Why is it so important?
The phrase “La Hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah” is a statement affirming Tawheed of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala in all aspects.
🍃Shaykh Abd Al-Razzaq al-Badr explains:
“It entails a confession of the Ruboobiyyah (Oneness of Lordship) of Allaah, that He alone is the Creator of this universe, who controls its affairs, and he Commands what He wills by His Wisdom.
Nothing happens in this universe, neither movement nor stillness, or increase or decrease, or honour or disgrace, or giving or withholding, except by His will.
He does what he wishes, He cannot be stopped or defeated, rather he has defeated all of His creation, and everything has submitted humbly to Him.
As Allaah said:
“Verily to Him belongs the creation and the command, blessed is Allaah, Lord of the worlds.”
(Surah Al-A'raaf, 54)
This statement entails an affirmation of the Names of Allaah and His Attributes, for the one who says it is doubtlessly affirming that the one he is making Du'a to and seeking refuge with is free of needs, while everything else needs Him. He is completely independent and everything else is dependent upon Him.
It entails the affirmation of the ‘Uloohiyyahh (Oneness of Divinity) of Allaah, that He alone is the one worthy to be worshiped and no one else deserves worship aside from Him. That is the meaning of ‘illaa billaah’ (except with Allaah)”
(Al-Hawqalah: Its meanings, virtues and creedal implications)
🍃 Shaikh Saaleh al-Fawzaan said:
“[One of the treasures of paradise]- meaning: Its reward is great and that is Jannah; and Jannah is the greatest thing sought after.
This shows the virtue of the statement [لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ ].
And why does it carry that reward?
That is because it necessitates surrendering all of one’s affairs to Allaah, manifesting one’s inability and poverty in the presence of Allaah, and that indeed Allaah is The One Perfect in Strength and The One Fully Able to do all things (and has power over all things). It is a great statement, easy to utter and repeat on the tongue.”
(Tasheelul Il’haami Bi-Fiqhil Ahaadeeth Min Bulooghil Maraam’ page 335’ Vol 6)
🔺When should we use this phrase?
🍃Ibn Taymiyyah said:
“Many people wrongly use la hawla wa laa quwwata illa billaah in situations of calamity and say it out of fear, not out of patience.
The hawqalah is a phrase to seek help and not a phrase of calamity (innaa lilaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon).“
(al-Istiqaamah 2/81)
🍃 And Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“So if one asks: “What is (the meaning of) al-Haul and what is al-Quwwah?”
The scholars have said that the word al-Haul is with the meaning of Tahawwal (changing), i.e. nothing changes from one state to another except with (the help of) Allaah Azza wa Jal.
As for al-Quwwah (power), then it is more specific than al-Qudrah (ability to do something); as if you said: “I cannot, nor do I have the power to change except with the help of Allaah.”
Therefore it is said that the letter “ب” in “إلا بالله” is for seeking help.
No one can change from one state to another - either from disobedience to obedience or from obedience to something better than that - except with the help of Allaah Azza wa Jal.
If one says:
‘Will I be afflicted with difficulties till I say: “There is no might or power except with Allaah”?’
(This comes to mind) because a lot of people have the habit when faced with a difficulty, one would say: “There is no might or power except with Allaah.”
But what has been legislated is that when faced with a difficulty, a person should say:
إنَّا لله، وإنَّا إليه راجعون
“To Allaah we belong to Him is our return.”
But as for saying: “There is no might or power except with Allaah”, then this is prescribed when a person undertakes to do something, and it is the phrase for Isti’aanah (seeking help) and it is not the phrase for Istirjaa` (returning to Allaah).”
(Sharh al-Mumti’ 2/84-85)
🔺What is the wisdom of saying the Hawqalah when repeating after the Mu’adhdhin?
🍃Shaikh ibn Uthaymeen
said:
When the Mu’adhdhin says:
حيَّ على الصَّلاة
“Come to prayer…”
(one should say in response to the Mu’adhdhin):
لا حولَ ولا قوَّة إلا بالله
“There is no might or power except with Allaah.”
And when he says:
حَيَّ على الفلاح
“Come to success…”
(one should again say in response):
لا حولَ ولا قوَّة إلا بالله
“There is no might or power except with Allaah.”
When the Mu’adhdhin says “Come to prayer”, he has called you to attend it, so by saying: “There is no might or power except with Allaah”, you seek Allaah’s help, and that is by disowning your own might and power, and seeking the help of the One who is the Owner of Might and Power.
And this is a way of Waseelah (seeking nearness to Allaah) by mentioning the (weak) condition of the caller (humans) and the perfection of the One being called.”
(Sharh al-Mumti’ 2/84-85)
🍃And Shaykh ibn Baaz said:
“The wisdom behind that saying is that man is weak by nature.
He has no ability to move from a condition to another except with the help of Allaah.
Even his going to Salaah in congregation needs the help and power of Allaah.
A servant of Allaah has no might or power except with Allaah. He realizes that he is weak, powerless, and unable to answer this call unless Allaah helps him Alone.
Therefore, upon hearing that call, he says: “La Hawla Wala Quwwata Illa Billaah”.”
(Fataawaa ibn Baaz Vol 10, Book of Salaah, Ch. on Adhaan and Iqaamah)
Once we understand the meaning of this beautiful phrase, it becomes easy for us to see why the Hawqalah is so important and why it holds such enormous reward.
It contains the meaning of (true) Duaa which is the soul and essence of worshiping Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala.
So the one who makes this statement is submitting himself to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala and admitting that all of his affairs are in the Hand of his Rabb, the Master and Creator of all that exists.
A person has no ability to do anything except by the Will of Allaah and His tawfeeq.
For this reason he seeks refuge and help from Him alone, and depends on Him in all of his matters.
🔺Some of the Ahaadeeth on when to say the Hawqalah:
1️⃣When the Mu’adhdhin says “Hayyaa `alal-salaah (come to prayer)” or “Hayyaa `alal-falaah (come to success)”:
🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When the muezzin says “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar (Allaah is Most Great),” and one of you says, “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar”; then he says, “Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa Allaah (I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah” and you say “Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa Allaah”; then he says, “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allaah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah” and you say, “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allaah”; then he says, “Hayyaa `alal-salaah (come to prayer)” and you say, “Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah”; then he says, “Hayyaa `alal-falaah (come to success)” and you say, “Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah”; then he says “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar,” and you say, “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar”; then he says “Laa ilaaha illaa Allaah” and you say, “Laa ilaaha illa Allaah” – if he says that from the heart, he will enter Paradise.” (Saheeh Muslim 578)
2️⃣ Immediately after every Salaah:
🍃Ibn al-Zubair Radhi Allaahu anhumaa used to say immediately after every prayer, when he had said the salaam:
لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ لا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلا بِاللَّهِ لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ وَلا نَعْبُدُ إِلا إِيَّاهُ لَهُ النِّعْمَةُ وَلَهُ الْفَضْلُ وَلَهُ الثَّنَاءُ الْحَسَنُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ
‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahoo laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd wa huwa `ala kulli shay’in qadeer. Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah wa laa na`budu illaa iyyaah. Lahul-ni`mah wa lahul-fadhl wa lahul-thanaa’ al-hasan. Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah mukhliseena lahu’l-deena wa law karihal-kaafiroon (There is no being worthy of being worshiped but Allaah Alone, with no partner or associate His is the sovereignty and to Him be praise, and He is Able to do all things. There is no power and no strength except with Allaah, and we worship none but Him. From Him (alone) come all blessings and favors, and all good praise is due to Him. There is no being worthy of being worshiped but Allaah and we make our worship purely for Him (alone) however much the disbelievers may hate that).’
He said: ‘The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam used to say these words immediately after every prayer.’”
(Saheeh Muslim 935)
3️⃣ When leaving one's house:
🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever says, when he is leaving his house:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ لا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلا بِاللَّهِ
“Bismillaah, tawwakaltu ‘ala Allaah, laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah (In the name of Allaah, I put my trust in Allaah, and there is no power and no strength except with Allaah)”,
it will be said to him: “You are taken care of and protected,” and the Shaytaan will leave him alone.’” (al-Tirmidhi 3426; Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaani)
It is also reported with the addition:
“And another shaytaan says to him (to the first one), ‘What can you do with a man who has been guided, taken care of and protected?’”
(Abu Dawood 5095; saheeh by al-Albaani)
4️⃣ When turning over at night:
🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever turns over at night and says:
لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَلا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلا بِاللَّهِ
Laa ilaaha ill-Allaahu wahdahoo laa shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa `ala kulli shay’in qadeer. Al-hamdu-lillaah wa subhaan-Allaah wa laa ilaaha ill-Allaahu wa Allaahu akbar, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah.
(There is no god but Allaah Alone, with no partner or associate. To Him belongs praise and His is the sovereignty, and He is Able to do all things. Praise be to Allaah, glory be to Allaah, there is no god but Allaah and Allaah is Most Great. There is no power and no strength except with Allaah),
then he says,
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Allaahumma aghfir lee (O Allaah, forgive me),
or he makes du’aa’, his prayer will be granted. If he does wudoo’ and prays, his salaah will be accepted.” (Saheeh al-Bukhaari 1154)
🍃 Ibn al-‘Iraqi said in a beautiful poetry:
“Declare yourself free from any strength or might, and you will achieve the treasure in Paradise,
Submit all your affairs to Allaah, so you may spend your days in Paradise,
Do not hope for anyone if a misfortune strikes, except your Lord, the possessor of bounties and favors,
Be consistent in doing good deeds, performing your obligations and Sunnah actions,
Have a clean heart towards other Muslims, free of spite, hatred, or suspicions.”
[cf. Fadl La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa Billah of Ibn ‘Abdul al-Hadi, p.39-40]
And Allaah knows best.
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