إلا

إلا

"إلا" means "except," "unless," or "only" depending on the context.

Here 'إلا' is used to indicate exception, implying that Ahmed is the only one who attended.

ما حضر أحد إلا أحمد.

No one attended except Ahmed.

In this context, 'إلا' denotes restriction, emphasizing that only darkness is being observed.

لا أرى إلا الظلام.

I see nothing except darkness.

Here 'إلا' is utilized to exclude lying from the actions the speaker is willing to undertake.

سأفعل كل شيء إلا الكذب.

I will do everything except lying.