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What does “Mashallah” mean?

Short answer“Mashallah” means “what God has willed has come to be.” A Muslim says it on seeing something beautiful or a blessing, as admiration, attributing the credit to God and seeking protection from the evil eye. It is not just praise but a remembrance of God.

The phrase and its pronunciation

Hadith
مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ

Mā shā’ Allāh

What God has willed

The phrase and its pronunciation

Meaning

Whatever God willed exists; it credits the blessing to its true source.

When to say it

  • When admiring a child, home or achievement.
  • On seeing a blessing, whether on others or yourself.
  • Together with “barakallahu feehi” to ward off envy.

How to reply

Reply: “Barakallahu feek” or “Jazakallahu khayran.”

The evidence

God taught the owner of the garden to say it when admiring his property:

Quran
وَلَوۡلَآ إِذۡ دَخَلۡتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلۡتَ مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِۚ إِن تَرَنِ أَنَا۠ أَقَلَّ مِنكَ مَالٗا وَوَلَدٗا

Deberías haber dicho cuando ingresaste a tus viñedos: ‘Esto es lo que Dios ha querido, todo el poder proviene de Dios’. Ya ves que poseo menos riqueza e hijos que tú.

Al-Kahf 18:39

Preguntas frecuentes

Is it said when sad?

No; its place is admiration and blessing. For hardship the phrase is “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un.”

Los textos y traducciones están en revisión por sabios.