The Arabic word illa is a negative word corresponding to the English except, only and but.[1]

Use

It is an often recurring phrase in the Qur'an, often used to give strength to statements by first negating all possibilities, and then referring to a subject. For example, in the Islamic Creed (Arabic: Shahada):

  • أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ لله ، وأشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله
  • 'ašhadu 'al-lā ilāha illā-llāh, wa 'ašhadu 'anna muħammadan rasūlu-llāh
  • I testify that there is no god but God, and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.[2]

This can also be seen in the prayer La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah, There is neither change nor power except by means of God.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dictionary
  2. ↑ "USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts". Archived from the original on 11 September 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2006.


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