Illa (Arabic)
Appearance
The Arabic word illa is a negative word corresponding to the English except, only and but.[1]
Use
[edit]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):
- Arabic text:
- أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ لله ، وأشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله
- 'ašhadu 'al-lā ilāha illā-llāh
- English translations:
- 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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Dictionary [dead link]
- ^ "USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts". Archived from the original on 11 September 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2006.