What does "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" mean?
Yes, it has a powerful meaning: "There is no might and no power except with Allah." You're admitting that you can't change anything, avoid anything bad or do anything good without Allah's help. The Prophet ﷺ called it "a treasure from the treasures of Paradise," and Muslims say it when they feel overwhelmed, when they start a task, and when answering the call to prayer.
The meaning, word by word
- La hawla: no change, no turning away (from harm or from sin).
- Wa la quwwata: and no strength (to do good or to keep going).
- Illa billah: except by Allah.
Put together: whatever I manage to do, I only manage it because Allah allows and helps it. It's not a phrase of giving up. It's a phrase of handing your weakness to the One who has all the strength, and then getting on with the work.
A treasure of Paradise
On a journey, the Companion Abu Musa was saying this phrase quietly to himself. The Prophet ﷺ said to him: "Say, 'La hawla wala quwwata illa billah (There is neither might nor power but with Allah), for it is one of the treasures of Paradise'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 7386). He also told Abu Hurairah, "Be frequent in saying" it (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3601).
A treasure is something valuable and often hidden. This phrase is short and quiet, and nobody around you needs to know you're saying it.
When to say it
- Answering the adhan: when the caller says "Come to prayer" and "Come to salvation," the Prophet ﷺ taught us to respond: "There is no might and no power except with Allah" (Sahih Muslim 385).
- Leaving the house: it's part of the dua many Muslims say at the door. See What dua do I say when leaving the house?
- When a task feels too big: a deadline, a hard conversation, a long night with a sick child.
- When you feel tempted: it reminds you that the strength to resist also comes from Allah.
- As daily dhikr: repeat it with SubhanAllah and Alhamdulillah during the day.
A related phrase in the Quran
In Surah al-Kahf, a believing man advises his proud friend, who thought his rich garden would last forever, that he should have said "Ma sha Allah, la quwwata illa billah." Many Muslims say this when they see something they like, such as a new house, a baby or a success, as a way of thanking Allah instead of feeling proud.
Note that "la hawla" isn't for joking or as a sigh of annoyance. In some cultures people mutter it when irritated. That's not wrong, but try to say it with meaning: asking Allah for strength. See Can I still say "Oh my God"?
- It means "There is no might and no power except with Allah."
- The Prophet ﷺ called it a treasure of Paradise.
- Say it when answering "Come to prayer" in the adhan.
- It's a phrase of trust, not of giving up.
People also ask
Do I have to raise my hands when making dua?
No, raising your hands isn't required. It's a Sunnah the Prophet often did, but a dua without raised hands is still complete.
Read the full answer →What dua do I say when I move into a new home?
It depends: there's no single new home dua, but sunnah words fit. Say A'udhu bi kalimatillahit-tammati, Bismillah, and recite al-Baqarah.
Read the full answer →What dua do I say when leaving the house?
Yes, say "Bismillah, tawakkaltu 'ala Allah, la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah." Whoever says it is guided and protected.
Read the full answer →What do I say if I forget to say bismillah before eating?
Yes, say "Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirihi" as soon as you remember. Forgetting isn't a sin, and you can still finish your meal.
Read the full answer →What dua do I say before eating?
Yes, just say "Bismillah" before eating or drinking, and "Alhamdulillah" when you finish. The longer Bismillah is fine too.
Read the full answer →