What is the ruling on changing the phrase "Lā ilāha illallāh" (There is no god but Allah) to "Laa ilāaha illallāh" by prolonging the negating "Lā" and adding a "yā" after "Lā" and an "alif" after the "hā" during dhikr in Zawāyā (Sufi lodges)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Changing the word of as mentioned in the question is forbidden in . Some have narrated a consensus on it being a sin. In addition to that, it is forbidden not to elongate the letter 'lam' in the negative particle "la" (لا), for mispronouncing it in this manner completely changes the meaning from negation to affirmation.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/80469
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 80469
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy