Sunan an-Nasa'i 677

Overview & Central Theme

This hadith, recorded in Sunan an-Nasa'i 677, captures a moment of prophetic emulation by Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) during the Adhan. The central theme is the etiquette of responding to the call to prayer, specifically the substitution of the phrases "Hayya 'alas-salah" and "Hayya 'alal-falah" with "La hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah." This teaching underscores the believer's recognition of human limitation and total reliance on Allah's power when summoned to the greatest acts of worship—prayer and success. It highlights the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ in transforming a call to action into a moment of profound spiritual dependence and humility.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The hadith occurs in the context of Mu'awiyah, then governor of Syria, demonstrating the precise Sunnah of responding to the Mu'adhdhin. Linguistically, "Hayya" is a particle of urging, meaning "come" or "hasten," derived from the root "h-y-y" indicating life and vitality—as if calling one to the life of the heart through prayer. "Al-salah" (prayer) and "al-falah" (prosperity/success) are both definitive nouns denoting the ultimate good. The response "La hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah" translates as "There is no might nor power except with Allah," where "hawl" refers to the ability to change or move, and "quwwah" to strength or power. Scholars note that this phrase is a declaration of one's incapacity to perform acts of obedience without divine assistance, making it a fitting reply to the summons to prayer—acknowledging that true success (falah) is only attainable through Allah's grace.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

• Jurisprudential ruling: The majority of scholars (including the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools) hold that upon hearing "Hayya 'alas-salah" and "Hayya 'alal-falah," the listener should respond with "La hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah," as explicitly demonstrated by the Prophet ﷺ in this hadith, rather than repeating the phrase.
• Ethical principle: This response cultivates humility (tawadu') and reliance on Allah (tawakkul), reminding the believer that even the ability to stand for prayer is a divine gift, not a personal achievement.
• Consensus insight: Imam An-Nawawi in his commentary on Sahih Muslim affirms that this substitution is a distinct Sunnah, separate from the general command to repeat the Mu'adhdhin's words, and it applies to both the caller and the listener, though the caller is not obligated to do so in his own call.

"When the caller says 'Hayya 'alas-salah,' the one who hears should say 'La hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah,' because this is a call to an act that one cannot perform except by Allah's assistance. Thus, the servant declares his inability and seeks divine aid, as the Prophet ﷺ taught us." — Imam An-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

In our daily lives, this hadith teaches us to transform every summons to worship into a moment of spiritual reset. When the Adhan echoes through our homes, workplaces, or cities, we should pause and consciously utter "La hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah" at the call to prayer and success, internalizing that our ability to pray, strive, and succeed is entirely contingent on Allah's will. This practice instills a constant awareness of our dependence on the Divine, fostering sincerity (ikhlas) in our worship and reducing arrogance in our achievements. Moreover, it trains the soul to respond to all of life's calls—whether to obligations or opportunities—with humility and a plea for divine assistance, turning every moment into a form of remembrance (dhikr) and submission (islam). By adhering to this Sunnah, we align our hearts with the prophetic model, ensuring that our journey to the mosque is not merely physical but a spiritual ascent toward closeness to Allah.