Question:

What is the correct way to respond to Hayyā alā al-Salāh and Hayyā alā al-Falāh?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

When the Mua’ddhin (caller to prayer) says Hayyā alā al-Salāh and Hayyā alā al-Falāh, others should respond by uttering[1]:

لا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إلَّا بِاَللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ

‘Lā Howla wa lā Quwwata illā billāhi al-Alī al-Athīm’

There is no power and might except with the help of Allah The Exalted and Mighty

Hayyā alā al-Salāh means ‘come for Salāh’.  Hayyā alā al-Falāh means ‘come to success’.  Repeating the same words of the mu’addhin would be a form of mockery and such repetition would not really serve any purpose.  Therefore, we have been instructed to read ‘Lā Howla wa lā Quwwata illā billāhi al-Alī al-Athīm’.

This phrase means one does not have the innate strength to resist from sin nor does one have the instinctive power to execute good except with the help of Allah. This utterance serves to remind the Muslim of his and her total dependence on Allah Ta’ālā.
 
And Allah Ta’ālā Knows Best

Mufti Faraz Adam
www.darulfiqh.com