8/26. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1526 — La Hawla Wa La Quwwata and Quiet Supplication
About Seeking Forgiveness
La Hawla Wa La Quwwata: A Treasure of Paradise and Calm Dhikr
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1526
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1526
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، وَعَلِيِّ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، وَسَعِيدٍ الْجُرَيْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ النَّهْدِيِّ، أَنَّ أَبَا مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيَّ، قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ فَلَمَّا دَنَوْا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ كَبَّرَ النَّاسُ وَرَفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَهُمْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّكُمْ لاَ تَدْعُونَ أَصَمَّ وَلاَ غَائِبًا إِنَّ الَّذِي تَدْعُونَهُ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَ أَعْنَاقِ رِكَابِكُمْ " . ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا أَبَا مُوسَى أَلاَ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى كَنْزٍ مِنْ كُنُوزِ الْجَنَّةِ " . فَقُلْتُ وَمَا هُوَ قَالَ " لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ " .
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari Narrated from:
Once we accompanied the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a journey. When we reached near Medina, the people began to say aloud: "Allah is most great," and they raised their voice. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: O people, you are not supplicating one who is deaf and absent, but you are supplicating One Who is nearer to you than the neck of your riding beast. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then said: AbuMusa, should I not point out to you one of the treasures of Paradise? I asked: What is that? He replied: "There is no might and there is no power except in Allah"
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1526In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 111English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1521
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1526
This hadith about La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah teaches two clear points. During a journey near Medina, some people raised their voices saying Allahu Akbar. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم reminded them that they were not calling upon one who is deaf or absent. Allah is near, so supplication does not need loud strain. Then he told Abu Musa about one of the treasures of Paradise: "There is no might and there is no power except in Allah." The hadith connects calm dhikr with deep reliance on Allah. It teaches that Allah hears, Allah is near, and real power belongs to Him alone.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم corrected raising the voice in supplication by reminding people that Allah is not deaf or absent.
- The phrase La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah is called one of the treasures of Paradise in this hadith.
- The hadith teaches calm remembrance and reliance on Allah's power.
