Hawqala

The Ḥawqala (Arabic: الحوقلة‎) is an Arabic word referring to the statement la ḥawla wa la quwwata illa billah (Arabic "لا حول ولاقوة إلا بالله") which is usually translated as "There is no initiative or capability except from God(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.[1]

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.

See also

References

  1. ^ Piamenta, Moshe (1979). Islam in Everyday Arabic Speech. BRILL. p. 155. ISBN 9004059679.