Laa Hawlaa wa Laa Quwwata Illaa Billaah

The meaning of the dhikr ‘Laa Hawlaa wa Laa Quwwata Illaa Billaah’

(this is very often translated by many as ‘there is no power nor might except with / by Allaah’, but the scholars explain this in detail and it is a great clarification wal hamdulillaah

Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen:

“It means there is no change from one condition to another nor power to do so except by Allaah’s helping you”

“If you say this, it has the (same) meaning as you saying: ‘O Allaah, help me’”

Source: Sharh of Kitaab ad-Da’waat

Shaykh Abdul Muhsin al-’Abbaad:

“It means that one has no power to leave sins nor to be upon obedience except by the help of Allaah because everything happens by the qadr of Allaah, His creating and His giving success”

Source:  Sharh of Sunan Abee Daawood