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 وَوَلَدٗا你走进你的园圃的时候，你怎么不说：‘这件事是安拉意欲的。除安拉外，我绝无能力！’如果你认为我的财产和后嗣都不如你，
常见问题
Is it said when sad?
No; its place is admiration and blessing. For hardship the phrase is “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un.”
原文和译文正在接受学者审阅。