Virtue of saying 'La hawla wala quwwata illa billaah' Fatwa No: 126278
- Fatwa Date:18-8-2009
My question is regarding narrations and Holy Traditions regarding “La Hawl Wala Quwutta Illah Billah” and the veracity about them. I heard in the sermon that recitation of “ La Hawl Wala Quwutta Illah Billah” “ (There is no power no strength but from Allah) is very effective means of beseeching Allah’s help and it has a lot of power in it as it is one of the treasures of paradise.
1-I heard in the same Juma sermon that a person came to Rasul Allah ( Peace be upon him) and told him that his son was abducted by people who demanded ransom from him and that his wife was heartbroken on her son’s plight. Rasul Allah ( Peace be upon him) said to that person that “ I order/ advice you to do two things, fear Allah (Itaqullah) and say La Hawl Wala Quwatta as many times as you can”. Then after some days or some time the said person came and informed the Holy Prophet ( Sallala Hu Alaihay Walasam) that his son has returned home and had a chance to bring along camels or goats ( Herd) to the kidnappers. He asked Holy Prophet ( Sallala Hu Alaihay Walasam) as to how to dispense the booty? Rasul Allah (Peace be upon him) replied that he may keep it as it is the gift from Allah Subhana wa Ta’ ala.
2-That Abu Hurraira ( may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that reciting “ La Hawl Wala Quwutta Illah Billah” is a cure to 99 diseases/ problems
3-That Allah had ordered His angels to say “ La Hawl Wala Quwutta…” in order to be able to carry the throne of Allah which they could not have been able to otherwise.
4-I also heard about reciting “La Hawl Wala Quwutta…” numerous times along with sending durood on Rasul Allah ( Peace be upon him) a hundred times before and after the recitation of “La Hawl Wala Quwutta Illah Billah”. Is this procedure/ method advised by Holy Prophet ( Sallala Hu Alaihay Walasam) OR Bida’a (innovation) ?
I am worried about my sister's marriage and my job and other personal worries.I wish to recite “La Hawl Wala Quwutta Illah Billah” to seek Allah’s help
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Some authentic Hadeeths were narrated on the virtue of saying "La hawla wala quwwata illa billaah (There is no might and power but that of Allaah)." For instance, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to Abu Moosa Al-Ash‘ari : "Should I guide you to a word which is one of the treasures of Paradise?” He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, “La hawla wala quwwata illa billaah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
As regards the Hadeeth which reads: "It cures ninety-nine diseases the least of which is anxiety", it was narrated by At-Tabaraani and it is not authentic. Shaykh Al-Albaani classified it as a Munkar Hadeeth.
With regard to the Hadeeth of the bearers of the Throne, it was narrated by Abu Ash-Shaykh in “Al-‘Athamah”, and we did not find any scholar grading it as authentic or weak. However, the book of Al-‘Athamah is a book where weak Hadeeths are most likely to be found.
As for the Hadeeth in which the man, ‘Awf ibn Maalik Al-Ashja‘i lost his son, it was narrated by Ibn Abi Ad-Dunya and others, but Al-Albaani classified it as Dha‘eef (weak) in Dha‘eef At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.
Also, we did not find the narration which combines between saying "La hawla wala quwwata illa billaah" and invoking blessing upon the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, one hundred times before and after it.
All in all, the Muslim should frequently utter this phrase because there is much goodness in it and Allaah The Almighty may remove many difficulties through it. For more benefit about the supplications which are recommended to be said in hard times, see Fatwa 86375.
May Allaah Facilitate your affairs and Alleviate your worries – Indeed, He is Hearing and Responsive.
Allaah Knows best.