What is the ruling on what has become common on people's tongues, saying:

The questioner : The word, I mean, "la hawla wa la quwwata illa bi-Allah" has circulated on the tongues of many people. Is there anything wrong with it from the Shari'ah perspective? "La hawla wa la quwwata illa bi-Allah."

The Shaykh : Of course, it should be completed, but I do not think there is anything wrong with it, because it has become a known term for this phrase. It is a complete resemblance, from the Arabic perspective, to "al-hawqalah." What does "hawqalah" mean? It means "la hawla wa la quwwata illa bi-Allah." So, "la hawla wa la" is a completion of the hawqalah. A completion of the hawqalah as an expression of this phrase, which is, by the text of the hadith, a treasure from the treasures of Paradise, as he (peace be upon him) said to Abu Musa while they were traveling on the road. He said: . So, if one wants to draw near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic), it is not the case that he must say "la hawla wa la" and is obligated to complete it. If he wants to express it, we have two expressions: a linguistic expression that is acknowledged and known, which is "al-hawqalah," and there is no objection to it; and a customary expression among people, "la hawla wa la." Yes, it is greater than that in the sense that it informs the listener that the intended meaning is the phrase that is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise, so there is nothing wrong with it.

The questioner : So you say "la hawla wa la" just like "al-hawqalah."

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : And beware of that.