Illa (Arabic)

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):

• Arabic text:

• أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ لله ، وأشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله

• Romanization:

• '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

• Negation in Arabic