From `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz to the honorable brother H. M. Th., may Allah grant him safety! May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you. In respect of your request for Fatwa registered in the Department of the Scholarly Research and Ifta’ (no. 1513), dated (21/4/1407 A.H.), it contains three questions. Here are the answers:
Q3: What is the wisdom behind saying, لا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلا بِالله “La Hawla Wala Quwwata Illla Billah” (There is no might nor power except with Allah) when the Mu`adh-dhin says, حي على الصلاة “Hayya `Ala Al-Salah (Come to Salah)” and حي على الفلاح “Hayya `Ala Al-Falah (Come to Success)” taking into consideration that they imply a call to Salah? Is there a Hadith that refers to that?
A: The wisdom behind that saying is that man is weak by nature. He has no ability to move from a condition to another except with the help of Allah. Even his going to Salah in congregation needs the help and power of Allah. A servant of Allah has no might or power except with Allah. He realizes that he is weak, powerless, and unable to answer this call unless Allah helps him Alone. Therefore, upon hearing that call, he says: “La Hawla Wala Quwwata Illa Billah”.
This is authentically reported from `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) as related by Muslim in his Sahih. May Allah grant us all success! May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!
Issued by the office of His Eminence and was read to His Eminence again on 4/4/1415 A.H.
Source: Fatwas of Ibn Baz > Volume 10 > Book of Salah > Chapter on Adhan and Iqamah >
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