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Illa (Arabic)

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

Use

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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
  • I testify that there is no god but 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

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References

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  1. ^ Dictionary [dead link]
  2. ^ "USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts". Archived from the original on 11 September 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2006.