Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah

The Difference between the words Hawle and Quwwate

· 18 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1434 AH1 min readFatwa 25790English

Question

Will you please explain the difference in meaning between the words "HAWLA" and "QUWWA" from LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH? The English translations of the words seem very similar and I don't know what the difference is.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

“Oh Abdullah Bin Qais! Should I not show you a treasure from the treasures of Jannah? I replied: Why not oh Messenger of Allah. He said: Say “La Hawla Wa La Quwwate Illa Billah” (Saheeh Muslim, Hadeeth # 6802, 6804, 6808)

The word “Hawle” means “There is no power in repelling evil” and Quwwate” means “There is no power in acquiring any good” except in Allah.[1]

Mufti Ismail Desai
Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

فعن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: (يا عبدالله بن قيس ألا أدلك على كنـز من كنوز الجنة فقلت بلى يا رسول الله قال: قل: "لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله

لا حول في دفع الشر, ولا قوة في تحصيل خير إلا بالله تعالى. [شرح مسلم4/76]. [1]

Answered by
Mufti Ismail Desai
Checked & approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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Source: Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah — https://askimam.org/public/question_detail/25790
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/askimam-25790

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