We were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) on a journey, and whenever we ascended a high place, we used to say Takbir (in a loud voice). The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O people! Be kind to yourselves, for you are not calling upon a deaf or an absent one, but You are calling an All-Hearer, and an All-Seer." Then he came to me as I was reciting silently, "La haul a wala quwwata illa bil-lah." He said, "O `Abdullah bin Qais! Say: La haul a walaquwata illa bil-lah, for it is one of the treasures of Paradise." Or he said, "Shall I tell you a word which is one of the treasures of Paradise? It is: La haul a wala quwwata illa bil-lah."
The Prohibition of Loud Takbir During Travel
The Prophet (ﷺ) corrected the Companions' practice of shouting Takbir loudly when ascending high places during travel. This gentle admonition teaches us that Allah is neither deaf nor absent, but rather Al-Sami' (the All-Hearing) and Al-Basir (the All-Seeing). The scholars explain that excessive loudness in remembrance may stem from misunderstanding Allah's nature, as if He needs our raised voices to hear us.
The Treasure of Paradise: La Hawla wa La Quwwata illa billah
When the Prophet (ﷺ) found Abdullah bin Qais (Abu Musa al-Ash'ari) reciting "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" silently, he specifically emphasized this profound invocation. Classical commentators explain this phrase means "There is no power to avoid disobedience except through Allah's protection, and no strength to perform obedience except through Allah's enablement."
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes in Fath al-Bari that this dhikr contains complete submission and dependence on Allah, acknowledging human incapacity and divine omnipotence. The description as "a treasure of Paradise" indicates its immense spiritual value and the great rewards reserved for those who recite it with understanding and sincerity.
Practical Lessons in Spirituality
This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 6384 teaches moderation in worship - avoiding extremes while maintaining sincerity. The scholars emphasize that the best remembrance is that which combines inward consciousness with appropriate outward expression. The treasure lies not in volume but in meaning, not in quantity but in quality of presence before the Divine.