Hawqala
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The Ḥawqala (Arabic: الحوقلة) is an Arabic word referring to the statement la ḥhawla wa la quwwata illa billah (Arabic "لا حول ولاقوة إلا بالله") which is usually translated as "There is no power or strength except with Allah." This expression is mentioned by a Muslim whenever seized by a calamity or in a situation beyond their control. The word Hawqala is made by the method of combining (or naḥt) from the words hawla and quwwata.
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 no power or strength except with God.
- There is no transformation or strength except through God.
- There is neither progress nor might except through God.
