بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
A priceless treasure hidden right under our noses
LAA HAWLA WALAA QUWWATA ILLAA BILLAH
Its meaning in the words of Rasulullah ()
Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud () narrated that, once, while in the company of
Rasulullah (), he uttered the words ‘Laa Hawla walaa Quwwata Illa Billah’.
Rasulullah () enquired, “Do you know what is the meaning and
explanation (tafseer) of these words?” He replied, “Allah and His Rasul
know best.” Rasulullah () explained,
لا حول عن معصية الله إلا بعصمة الله – “there is no ability (in anyone) to abstain
from disobeying Allah and sinning, except by the protection of Allah.
ولا قوة على طاعة الله إلا بعون الله – and there is no strength (in anyone) to obey
Allah, except with the help of Allah.”(Musnadul Bazzaar, as quoted in Maj’mauz Zawaaid)
Moulana Abdul Ghani Phulpoori (r) has explained that although this
statement is a jumlah-khabriyyah (a statement informing us of a certain
matter), contained in these words is a jumlah-inshaaiyyah (in the form of a
dua). We are therefore actually begging Allah, ‘O Allah, I ask You to grant
me the ability to abstain from disobeying You and sinning by protecting me,
and to grant me the strength to obey You by helping me’.
(اي اسئلك الحول والقوة بعصمة الله وبعون الله العلي العظيم)
(Condensed from Ma’rifate Ilaahiyyah)
Why was the request to be protected from sins brought first, followed by
the request to become obedient?
Every sin results in the anger and wrath of Allah (), whereas the ability to
do good is only by the mercy and kindness of Allah () (which cannot be
attained if Allah () is displeased). The causes for the wrath of Allah will
have to be removed before His mercy can be acquired.
(دفع غضبه مقدم على جلب رحمته) (Condensed from Ma’rifate Ilaahiyyah)
Virtues of these words:
1) It is a treasure from the treasures of Jannah, (Sahihul Bukhari, Sahih Muslim) from
beneath the Arsh (throne) of Allah (Mustadrak of Haakim), which is, in reality, the
roof of Jannah.
Why has it been called a treasure of Jannah?
It has been called a treasure of Jannah for one of the following reasons:
a) It is similar to a treasure, as it is extremely valuable and will acquire for
one many benefits- especially in Jannah, but was unknown to the people,
till Rasulullah () presented it to the ummah.
b) It will change into the form of a treasure in Jannah and will belong to the
reciter.
c) It will accumulate for a person a treasure of wealth and luxuries in
Jannah.
d) It will acquire a treasure of great rewards in Jannah for its reciter.
e) In these words, one has negated any ability and strength stemming from
his own being and has attributed all such ability and strength to Allah’s ()
protection and help, and is thereby seeking to attain this strength and
ability from Allah () Himself. He has therefore attached himself to those
everlasting mercies of Allah () which will protect him from sin and help
him to obey Allah (). Those mercies have here been called a treasure from
the treasures of Jannah. These mercies of Allah will result in good actions
(Al-Baaqiyaatus Saalihaat) which never come to an end, the rewards and
fruits of which will remain with one in Jannah. (The first four reasons are mentioned in
Mirqaatul Mafaateeh of Mulla Ali Qari and quoted in Kashkole Ma’rifat, and the last was mentioned by
Moulana Abdul Ghani Phulpoori, as in Ma’rifate Ilaahiyyah)
2) It is a cure from 99 diseases, the lightest one being hamm (such grief,
worry and depression which can melt a man-Mirqaat). (Al-Mu’jamul Awsat of
Tabraani)
3) Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) told Rasulullah (salla Allahu alaihi wasallam) on
the night of Mi’raaj to tell the Ummah that they should increase their trees
and plants in Jannah by reciting these words. (Musnad Ahmad, Sahih Ibn Hibbaan)
4) Allah ()replies to this statement by announcing (to the angels-Fathul
Baari), أسلم عبدي واستسلم – My servant has handed over (all the matters
and affairs of both the worlds to Me in totality) and has submitted himself
(to Me, worshipping Me sincerely). (Mirqaat, commenting on a Hadith in Mishkat,Mustadrak of Haakim)
This dua can also be recited thus:
“لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم” LAA HAWLA WALAA QUWWATA ILLAA
BILLAHIL ALIYYIL AZEEM.
(This addition is found in a narration of Musnad Bazzaar and Al-Mu’jamus Sagheer, a narration of Al-
Mu’jamul Awsat and a narration of Abdur Razzaaq in his Musannaf)
Since these additional words are also proven, it would be recommended to
recite it as well. They mean ‘The Most Lofty, The Greatest’. By repeating
these names of Allah (), one realizes the lofty position and grandeur of
Allah, and realizes how low (دنيّ) and contemptible-despicable (حقير) he is.
Once one realizes this, he has acquired abdiyat (true servitude to Allah) and
has humbled himself before Allah.
After realizing one’s own low and contemptible nature which is fit to do no
good, one is here asking Allah’s help through these wonderful names of His
to be protected from sin and to be blessed with strength to carry out good
actions. (Condensed from Ma’rifate Ilaahiyyah pg.458)
Benefits of reciting these words according to the Mashaayikh:
A means of acquiring the Fadhl of Allah: Shaykh Abul Hasan Shaazli (r) had
quoted his Mashaayikh who had explained: “There are no words as
beneficial and helpful as these words in submitting to Allah and in entering
the path of His fadhl (favours and grants).” (Mazaahire Haqq, as quoted in Kashkole
Ma’rifat)
A remedy for pride: Moulana Abdul Ghani Phulpoori (r) had said, “For
guidance (hidaayah) and self-reformation (islaah), reciting these words in
abundance is extremely beneficial and has an amazing effect. If one reads it
at least 500 times daily, Allah will grant him the courage to abstain from sin
and the strength to carry out good actions. If this too is not possible, then
at least recite it 70 times. If due to your ibaadah, you become vain and self-
conceited, recite these words while pondering over its meaning, by the
blessings of which this Shaytaani trick of pride and self-conceit will be
uprooted.” (Ma’rifate Ilahiyyah pg.457-461)
A means of giving up sins and reforming oneself: Moulana Shah Hakeem
Muhammad Akhtar (r) had said, “To become pious and give up sins, recite
this seven times after every salaah. Inshaa Allah (By the will of Allah), very
soon, one’s sins will begin falling away….When Allah regularly informs the
angels “My servant has submitted to My obedience” (in reply to this
kalimah), Allah will never give the angels the chance to object to His
declaration by asking why the person is still committing sin. Allah will
therefore honour his declaration reforming and correcting that particular
servant of His. For this reason, many Masaayikh (spiritual guides) would
prescribe only the recital of this kalimah for their mureedeen (disciples), by
which they would acquire connection with Allah.” (Condensed from
Inaayaate Rabbani pg.11-12)
A solution to life-threatening problems, and an exit from all sorts of
difficulties: Maalik Ashja’ee () came to Rasulullah () and said to him,
“Auf’s son (who happened to be the grandson of Maalik) has been captured
and taken as a captive. (The parents are both very worried. What can they
do?)” Rasulullah () asked Maalik to send the following message to Auf;
‘Rasulullah () commands you to recite لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله abundantly.’ The
parents obeyed this command and began reciting it in abundance. Their
son, who had been tied up in leather ropes suddenly saw the ropes falling
off, which allowed him to escape. While leaving, he noticed a camel
belonging to his captors nearby, upon which he jumped on and began to
ride away. Passing by their flock of sheep or goats, he called out to the
animals to move with him. The animals obeyed and all followed him. He
surprised his parents when he reached the door and called out for them, as
they never expected him to ever return. His father later came to Rasulullah
() to inform him of what had happened, at which the following verse of
the Quran was revealed, “ومن يتق الله يجعل له مخرجا الآية”. (Ibn Abi Haatim has quoted
this from Muhammad ibn Ishaq, as in At-Targeeb wat Tarheeb. It has also been narrated from Ibn
Abbaas() in a shorter version, narrated by Ibn Mardwayh, as in Ad-Durrul Manthoor)
A shield against one’s enemies, especially the evil Jinnaat: Jareer ibn
Abdillah Bajali () narrated, “While walking down a certain road in the city
of Tustar after it had been conquered by the Muslims, I once recited لا حول
ولا قوة إلا بالله . A certain local man, on hearing me reciting these words,
commented, “This is the first time I have heard these words after hearing
them in the skies.” “And how in the world did you hear it in the skies,” I
enquired skeptically. He explained, “I would act as an envoy and often take
delegations to the court of Qaisar (the Roman king) and Kisra (the Persian
king) and Qaisar (the Roman king). Once, while I had set off with a
delegation to Kisra, a Shaytan (devil) took my form and began to live with
my wife. When I returned home, my family didn’t welcome me as usual. I
was surprised, and questioned them. They gave me the impression as if I
had never been away from them. I was quite shocked, till the Shaytan
exposed himself to me shortly thereafter. He presented me with an option;
he will live one day with my wife and I could be with her for the next day.
He promised to kill me if I did not agree. I was forced to assent. (In the
meanwhile, we would sit together and talk quite frequently.) One day, he
said to me, “I am from those shaytans who eavesdrop on the happenings in
the skies. We carry this out in turns. Tonight is my turn and chance. Do you
want to come with me?” I agreed to join him. That evening, he came to me
and asked me to jump onto his back. He had locks resembling that of a pig,
He said to me, “Hold tight! Tonight, you will see strange things and scary
scenes, but don’t ever let go, otherwise you will be destroyed.” The party of
Shaytans flew up into the sky, until they neared the first sky. I heard a caller
calling out, “لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله ما شاء الله كان وما لم يشأ لا يكون”. These words
struck them with such force that they were sent flying into the forests and
jungles. I quickly memorized those words. The next morning, I returned
home. The next time I saw the Shaytan approaching, I began to recite those
words, which put him into a state of panic. (He began melting away, till he
shrunk to the size of a fly.) He managed to see a window, from which he
escaped. I continued reciting these words for a while, and the Shaytan
never returned.”
(Ibn Abid Dunya narrated this in Al-Hawaatif, while Ibn Mandah quoted a similar
incident in As-Sahaabah, as quoted by Suyuti in Al-Habaa’ik)