The phrase and its pronunciation
مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُMā shā’ Allāh
What God has willed
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:
وَلَوۡلَآ إِذۡ دَخَلۡتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلۡتَ مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِۚ إِن تَرَنِ أَنَا۠ أَقَلَّ مِنكَ مَالٗا وَوَلَدٗاSi seulement, en entrant dans ton jardin, tu disais : “Telle est la volonté d’Allah, il n’est de force que par Allah”. Si tu me vois moins pourvu que toi en biens et en enfants,
Questions fréquentes
Is it said when sad?
No; its place is admiration and blessing. For hardship the phrase is “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un.”
Les textes et traductions sont en cours de révision par des savants.