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Guide · Islamic phrases
Mashallah meaning.
The phrase Muslims say when they admire something: what it means, the verse it comes from, and how it relates to the evil eye.
Mashallah (ما شاء الله) means "what Allah has willed". Muslims say it when they admire or praise something, such as a child, a success or a beautiful home, to acknowledge that it came from Allah. It comes from Surah al-Kahf (18:39), and is often said together with Barakallahu feeh (may Allah bless it).
Mashallah, word by word
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| مَا | ma | what |
| شَاءَ | sha'a | (He) willed |
| اللَّهُ | Allah | Allah |
Together: what Allah has willed. When you say it you are saying, in effect, "this beautiful thing is from Allah, not from anyone's own power."
Where Mashallah comes from
The phrase appears in Surah al-Kahf, in the parable of the two gardens. One man was proud of his garden as if he had made it himself. His believing companion asked him why, when he entered his garden, he did not say ma sha'a Allah, la quwwata illa billah: "what Allah willed; there is no power except with Allah" (18:39). The garden was later destroyed. The phrase is a guard against that kind of arrogance.
When to say Mashallah
- Seeing a newborn or a child doing well: "Mashallah, she's beautiful."
- Hearing good news: "You got the job? Mashallah!"
- Admiring a home, a car, a recitation, a skill.
- Praising yourself or your own things, as a reminder that it all comes from Allah.
Pair it with a prayer for blessing, such as Barakallahu feeh or Allahumma barik lahu. That follows the Prophet's ﷺ guidance to invoke blessing when admiring something, which scholars connect with protection from the evil eye.
Mashallah or Inshallah?
They sound alike and are often mixed up. Mashallah looks at what is already here. Inshallah looks ahead to what you hope for. For thanks, use Jazakallahu khayran. All three are in our guide to Islamic phrases.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Mashallah mean?
Mashallah (ما شاء الله) means 'what Allah has willed', in the sense of 'this is what Allah willed to happen'. Muslims say it when they admire or praise something, as a reminder that the good they see comes from Allah.
Does Mashallah protect from the evil eye?
The Prophet ﷺ said the evil eye is real (Muslim). When he heard that a companion had been harmed by someone's admiring look, he asked why the admirer had not invoked blessing (Ibn Majah, Muwatta). So the Sunnah when admiring is to ask for barakah, for example Barakallahu feeh or Allahumma barik. Many Muslims say Mashallah together with it, following the verse in Surah al-Kahf.
What is the difference between Mashallah and Inshallah?
Mashallah is for something you can see or that has already happened ('Mashallah, what a beautiful home'). Inshallah is for the future ('I'll visit next week, inshallah').
How do you reply to Mashallah?
Common replies are Barakallahu feek (may Allah bless you), Jazakallahu khayran (may Allah reward you), or Alhamdulillah, which returns the praise to Allah.
Is it Mashallah or Masha'Allah?
Both. The Arabic is three words: ma (what), sha'a (willed) and Allah. Mashallah, Masha'Allah and Ma sha Allah are all common spellings in English.
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