Illa (Arabic)

The Arabic word illa is a negative word corresponding to the English except, only and but.

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 (Shahada):
 * Arabic text:
 * أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ لله ، وأشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله


 * Romanization:


 * English translations:
 * I testify that there is no god but God, and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.

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.