A Treasure from Paradise

This beautiful, powerful statement — la hawla wa la quwatta illa billah — is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise, as our Prophet ﷺ told us, and for very good reason. When you say it, you are affirming your own weakness and inability to Allah, while affirming His complete control and power.

It is called “the key to the removal of distress” because when you state it, fully aware of its meaning, you are wholly submitting yourself to the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth. What greater affirmation of Allah and His perfect attributes than to call upon Him and say: “I am completely incapable of any movement or strength unless you bestow it upon me, O Allah!”

Our Prophet ﷺ said:

‎أفلا أدلُّكَ على كلِمةٍ من كَنزِ الجنَّةِ من تحتِ العرشِ: لا قوَّةَ إلّا باللَّهِ، يقولُ: أسلَمَ عبدي واستَسلمَ

“Shall I not direct you to a word from the treasures of Paradise, which is under the Throne (of Allah)? (It is) la quwatta illa billah (there is no strength except with Allah). (When the servant says it) Allah then says: ‘My servant has submitted and surrendered.’”

(Ahmad, Sahih)

Ja’far Ibn Muhammad told Sufyan Ath-Thawri, may Allah have mercy on them both:

إذا ظَهَرَتْ عَلَيْكَ نِعْمَةٌ فاتَّقِ اللهَ وإذا أبْطَأ عَنْكَ الرِّزْقُ فاسْتَغْفِرِ اللهَ وإذا دَهَمَكَ أمْرٌ مِنَ الأُمُورِ فَقُلْ: لا حَوْلَ ولا قُوَّةَ إلّا بِاللهِ

“When you witness a blessing of Allah manifest (upon you), have taqwa of Allah. When rizq (wealth) is slow to come to you, seek forgiveness of Allah. If a (difficult) matter overcomes you, say: la hawla wa la quwatta illa billah (there is no movement nor strength except with Allah).”

(Shu’ab Al-Eman)