The True Meaning of “La Ilaha illallah”

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Discover the true power of this Islamic declaration of faith

Co-authored by Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: May 15, 2024 Fact Checked

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Meaning & Translation

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Significance

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Rewards

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When to Recite

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Du’a

“La ilaha illahllah” is an important dhikr in Islam and is known as the only one you can recite with your mouth closed. This prayer is not only recited every time you perform your 5 daily prayers, it’s said when you first convert to Islam and Muslims strive for it to be the last thing they say before they die. Keep reading to learn more about this powerful dhikr, its benefits, and when to recite it.

Meaning of “La ilaha illahllah”

“La ilaha illahllah” directly translates to “there is no god but Allah.” However, the more accurate translation is “no god is rightfully worshipped at all in existence except Allah.” This phrase is part of the Shahada, a declaration of faith recited when you convert to Islam and perform your daily prayers.

Section 1 of 5:

La Ilaha Illallah Meaning & Translation

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“La ilaha illahllah” roughly translates to “There is no god but Allah.” The word “la,” meaning “no,” is a complete negation, so the phrase translates to “There is none worshiped in all of existence except Allah.” This isn’t true because people all over the world worship different deities, so the actual meaning is “No god is rightfully worshipped at all in existence except Allah.”^{[1]
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- Some also say that the true translation of the phrase is “There is no deity of worship or unconditional obedience except Allah.”^{[2]
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Section 2 of 5:

Significance of “La Ilaha Illallah”

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“La ilaha illallah muhammadur rasulullah” is part of the Shahada. The Shahada is a declaration of faith recited during each of the 5 daily prayers. It translates to “There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and Prophet Muhammed is His messenger.”^{[3]
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Research source} To become a Muslim, you must repeat this phrase and believe in the oneness of Allah as the ultimate creator.^{[4]
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- When you convert, you say “Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulu-Allah,” which means “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”^{[5]
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- The Shahada is known as the first pillar or foundation of Islam.^{[6]
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  Research source} It’s also the first words a Muslim baby hears when they enter the world.^{[7]
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Section 3 of 5:

Rewards for Reciting “La Ilaha Illallah”

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You are guaranteed Jannah if your last words are “la ilaha illallah.” One Hadith, or saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), says “Man kana akhir kalamihi La ilaha illallah dakhala al-janna,” which translates to “Whoever breathes his last with the words ‘La ilaha illallah’ enters Jannah (Paradise).”^{[8]
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- Hadith also says that this phrase reaches the throne of Allah directly.^{[9]
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- The Prophet Muhammed says “The most fortunate of people to receive my intercession on the Day of Resurrection are those who said ‘la ilaha illallah’ purely and sincerely from the heart.”^{[10]
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Reciting “la ilaha illallah” wards off laziness and protects from evil. Saying “la ilaha illallah” reaffirms your commitment to your faith and acts as a reminder that your soul, body, and mind are not subservient to anyone except Allah.^{[11]
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Research source} This is why repeating “la ilaha illallah” can help you ward of laziness that prevents you from performing your prayers and other duties.^{[12]
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- While belief in Allah’s oneness is fundamental, it’s the demonstration of your faith through good deeds and actions that may tip the scales during the Day of Judgement.^{[13]
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Repeating “la ilaha illallah” renews your faith in Allah’s power. When the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was asked how they could renew their faith, he said “Excessively repeat La ilaha illallah.” Repeating “la ilaha illallah” every day can protect you from shirk and remind you of Allah’s power and your own limitations.^{[14]
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- In the same way, repeating this powerful dhikr also renews your intentions to submit to Allah.

Section 4 of 5:

When to Say “La Ilaha Illallah”

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Say “la ilaha illallah” throughout your life in every single setting. “La ilaha illallah” is the only dhikr you can recite with your lips closed—this means that you can say it anywhere, at any time, without anyone noticing. When you say “la ilaha illallah” every day, you pray that Allah will forgive your sins and you will be guaranteed Jannah.^{[15]
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- The best type of dhikr is “la ilaha illallah” because it reminds you of your commitment to Allah and his right to be worshiped.^{[16]
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- It may also help to repeat this dhikr after Allah fulfills His promises to you.
- It is said that reciting “la ilahah illallah” 70,000 times throughout their life will be safe from the fires of Jahannum.^{[17]
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Section 5 of 5:

La Ilaha Illallah Du’a

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لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ “La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahul- hamd wa huwa 'ala kulli shai'in qadir.”^{[18]
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- Translation: “There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him. Sovereignty belongs to Him and all the praise is due to Him, and He is Potent over everything.”^{[19]
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- Benefits: The Prophet Muhammad said that whoever says this du’a 100 times will get the reward of setting 10 slaves free, 100 good deeds will be written in their account, 100 bad deeds will be erased from their account, and it will be a shield from Shaitan from that day until night.^{[20]
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