La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah
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La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah is an Arabic phrase usually translated as " There is no way/change/transformation and no might/power except through Allah (God." This expression is mentioned by a Muslim whenever seized by a calamity or in a situation beyond their control.
The English translation does not completely convey the full meaning of the phrase. For example, translating the word hawla as "power" is an over-simplification. The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic shows the linguistic verb root for hawla as h-w-l, and it depicts all manner of change, transformation and motion. Islamic mystics have suggested that what is implied is that there is no spiritual transformation except with Allah. Here are some literal translations of la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah that incorporate the concept of change and transformation:
- There is neither change nor power except by means of God.
- There is no transformation or strength except through God.
- There is neither progress nor might except through God.
