References:
- Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb
- Zaad al-Ma’ad by Ibn al-Qayyim
- Lecture by Dr. Nawal al-Eid
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): “Should I guide you to a word (statement) which is one of the treasures of Paradise?” He (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) replied in the affirmative. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah (there is no might nor power except in Allaah).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told him: “Say: ‘Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah’ profusely, for it is one of the treasures of Paradise.” [Reported by at-Tirmidhi and authenticated by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Targheeb no. 1580]
Al-Haakim reported a similar Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Shall I tell you about a word which is from under the Throne and one of the treasures of Paradise? Say: ‘Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah.’ Allaah will say: “My slave has submitted and succumbed (surrendered).” [Authenticated by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jamie’ no. 2614]
Mu’adh ibn Jabal (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Shall I guide you to one of the gates of Paradise?” I said: “What is it?” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah.” [Al-Albaani graded it as Saheeh Ligharihi, in Saheeh at-Targheeb no. 1581]
Qais ibn Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “My father pushed me to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to serve him. One day, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) came to me after I offered two Rak’ah prayer and said: ‘Shall I guide you to one of the gates of Paradise?’ I said: ‘Yes, for sure.’ He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah.’” [Reported by al-Haakim and authenticated by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Targheeb no. 1582]
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that on the night of the Ascension (Al-Israa’), the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) passed by Ibraheem (Abraham, ‘Alayhis-salaam) and said: “Who is this with you, O Jibreel (Gabriel)?” He (Jibreel, ‘Alayhis-salaam) said: “Muhammad.” Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) said: “O Muhammad! Command your nation (followers) to increase in the plants of Jannah: for verily, it’s (Jannah’s) soil is good, its land is vast.” He (the Messenger of Allaah, Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “What are the plants of Jannah?” He (Ibraheem ‘Alayhis-salaam) said: “(Uttering the word) Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah.” [Reported by Ahmad and authenticated by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Targheeb no. 1583]
Ibn Abi ad-Duniya in “Adh-Dhikr” and at-Tabaraani reported on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Increase in the plants of Jannah: for verily, its water is sweet, its soil is good. So increase in its plants.” They said: “O Messenger of Allaah! What are its plants?” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “(The plants grown there by uttering) Maa shaa’ Allaah, laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah.” [Saheeh at-Targheeb no. 1584]
The meaning of the word:
An-Nawawi (Rahimahullaah) said: “The Ulamaa’ said: ‘The reason for this word being a treasure of Paradise is because it is a word of submission and giving full authority to Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala); it is a word of confession (recognition) of submission (compliance) to Him: and that there is no Creator (Maker) except Him, and no one can reject His Command.
The slave owns nothing of his affairs. The meaning of treasure here is the reserved reward in Jannah, which is a precious reward as the treasure is the most precious kind of money.”
Ibn Rajab (Rahimahullaah) said: “The meaning of the word (statement) is that there is no turning of the state (change in state) of the slave from one to another and he does not have the strength to do that except by Allaah. This word (statement) is a very great word and it is one of the treasures of Jannah.”
Ibn al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said: “The upper world (heavens) and the lower world (earth) transform (change) from one event to another, and that change (turning) does not occur except with strength (power). The turning (change, transformation) and strength are by Allaah Alone. This includes every movement in the upper world and lower world, and every power needed for that movement such as the movement of the plants, the nature, the animals, the astronomy, and the movement of the soul and the heart, and the strength for these movements are the Hawl. There is no power nor might except in Allaah.”
He (Rahimahullaah) also said: “This word (statement) has an astonishing (amazing) effect on (a person’s) endurance of difficulties and hardships, and in (his) overcoming the fear and horrors.”
He (Rahimahullaah) said in ‘Zaad al-Ma’ad: “This word (statement) has a strong impact in repelling grief, anxiety, sadness, and worry. This is because it is devoid of one’s strength and might; it is comprised of complete reliance on Allaah by submitting the entire matter to Him, and not opposing Him in any of it.”
No one has the strength for any change or transformation from one state to another except with Him. No one is able to make these changes in the upper world and lower world except Him.”
He (Rahimahullaah) also said: “This word (statement) has an amazing effect in expelling the devils.”
Shaikh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimahullaah) said: “By this word (statement) one is able to bear heavy burdens, endure horrors and obtain high status.”
He (Rahimahullaah) said: “This is a word (statement) of seeking help with, not a word used for Istirjaa’ [like saying ‘inna Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon], which many people say at times of calamities, such that one says it with anxiety and does not seek the patience by it.”
In Conclusion:
From the above statements of the scholars, if one intends to take a decision, or wishes to change a matter, or he is embarrassed about something or wants to quit a sin, let him say these words profusely. On the Day of Resurrection he will be called to enter from that gate of Jannah because of its excellence and the meaning that it bears.
These are words of submission and recognition of Allaah’s power over all things and confession of one’s weakness and helplessness.
Hawl means change and movement, i.e. there is no change (transformation) or movement; nor does one have any ability in driving away evil or attaining good except by Allaah. No one can turn away from a sin or disobedience to Allaah, nor does one have power or strength in obedience to Allaah except by Him.
Accordingly this word has three meanings:
- There is no change or movement or strength in this change or movement except with Allaah.
- There is no strength torepel evil (e.g. whispers of Shaytaan) or in having the strength toattain good, except in Allaah.
- There is noHawl (turn/change) from committing sin (disobedience to Allaah) nor strength (power) in obedience to Allaah except with the help of Allaah.
So this word (statement) brings changes in one’s entire life.
If one wants to convince somebody, or reconcile between people, or wants to affect his children, etc., then let him say this word (statement) profusely while recalling its meaning.
There are many Du’as and remembrances which we say without knowing their meaning which makes our actions fruitless and having no effect. [Dr. Nawal al-Eid]
Always feel free to share the khair!
