Ḥadīth
Abu Musa (رضي الله عنه) reported:
“We were along with Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) on a journey when the people began to pronounce ‘Allahu Akbar’ in a loud voice.
Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: ‘O people, have mercy on yourselves! You are not calling upon One who is deaf or absent. Verily, you are calling upon the All-Hearing, the Near, the One who is with you.’
Abu Musa said that he had been behind him (the Prophet) and reciting: ‘There is neither might nor power but that of Allah.’
He (the Prophet), while addressing ‘Abdullah b. Qais, said: ‘Should I not direct you to a treasure from amongst the treasures of Paradise?’
I (‘Abdullah b. Qais) said: ‘Allah’s Messenger, do it, of course.’
Thereupon, he (the Prophet (ﷺ)) said: ‘Then, recite:
لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِالله
There is no might and no power but that of Allah.’”
[Sahih Muslim 2704 a]
Meaning of Hawqalah
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, nor any strength for the slave to perform any of his affairs, except by Allah, meaning by His help, tawfiq, and guidance.
Al-Imām Ibn al-Qayyim – may Allāh have mercy on him – 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 Allah 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 Allah.”
He (Rahimahullah) also said: “This word (statement) has an astonishing effect on a person’s endurance of difficulties and hardships, to go see kings and those who are feared, and in overcoming the fear and horrors.” [Al-Wābil Al-Sayyib]
He (Rahimahullah) 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 Allah 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 (Rahimahullah) also said: “This word (statement) has an amazing effect in expelling the devils.”
He (Rahimahullah) also said: “The statement “Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illa billāh” (“There is no might or power except with Allāh”) has an amazing effect on repelling poverty.” [Al-Wābil as-Sayyib 106]
He (Rahimahullah) also said: “Whoever increases in worry and sadness must recite, ‘La Hawla wala Quwwata illa Billah.’” [Zad Al-Ma’ad (v. 4, p. 183)]
Shaikh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah – may Allāh have mercy on him – said: “By this word (statement), one is able to bear heavy burdens, endure horrors, and obtain high status.”
He (Rahimahullaah) also said: “This is a word (statement) of seeking help, 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 patience by it.”
Al-Imām al-Manāwī – may Allāh have mercy on him – said, “Nothing opens the locks of affairs like your saying: ‘Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illa billāh (There is no might and no power except with Allāh).’ If the person in need knew what these words contain of help and success and fulfilling of needs, he would not leave (saying) them.” [Fath-ul-Qadīr 3/15]
Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah) said, “The statement ‘La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah’ (there is no might nor power except with Allah) is a powerful statement that a lot of it should be said: in the morning, evening, and every time.” [Majmu al-Fatawa 294/9]
Shaykh Salih al-Uthaymeen – may Allāh have mercy on him – said: “If you’re exhausted by something and unable to do it, say, “Laa Hawla Wa Laa Quwwata Illaa Billaah” (“There is no might nor power except with Allah”), because Allah, the Most High, will help you with it. And this saying is not something that is said when some calamity befalls, as done by many people; when it is said to them, “Such and such calamity occurred,” they say, “Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa billaah.”
Rather, the dua for afflictions is to say: “Inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raajioon” – “Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.”
As for this dua (Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah), it is a dua for seeking help. If you want Allah سبحانه و تعالى to aid you with something, you say, “Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah.” [Explanation of Riyaadus-Saaliheen (5/522)]
May we all experience the blessings and benefits of reciting the ḥawqalah, aameen.
The Enduring Good Deeds 