A Priceless Treasure Hidden Right Under Our Noses
Submitted by Shaheen Kola on
لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ
إِلَّا بِالله
LAA HAWLA WALAA
QUWWATA ILLAA BILLAH
Its
meaning in the words of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
Abdullah
Ibn Mas’ud Radiallahu Anhu narrated that, once, while in the company of
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, he uttered the words ‘Laa Hawla walaa
Quwwata Illa Billah’. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam enquired, “Do you
know what is the meaning and explanation (tafseer) of these words?” He replied,
“Allah and His Rasul know best.” Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
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 Rahmatullah Alaih 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 Ta’ala, whereas the ability to do
good is only by the mercy and kindness of Allah Ta’ala (which cannot be
attained if Allah Ta’ala 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 Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam 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 Ta’ala’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 Ta’ala which will protect him from sin and help him to obey Allah Ta’ala.
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 Sallallahu 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 Ta’ala 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:
" لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا
بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْم"
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 Ta’ala, 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:
A means of acquiring the
Fadhl of Allah - Shaykh Abul Hasan Shaazli Rahmatullah Alaih 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 Rahmatullah
Alaih 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 Rahmatullah Alaih 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 Radiallahu
Anhu came to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
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 Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam asked Maalik to send the
following message to Auf; ‘Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam 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 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 Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam 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 Radiallahu Anhu in a shorter version,
narrated by Ibn Mardwayh, as in Ad-Durrul Manthoor)