ما شاء الله
/maː ʃaː.ʔa aɫ.ɫaː(h)/word by word
The phrase masha allah is expressed in Arabic as ما شاء الله.
ما شاء الله is used to express appreciation, joy or amazement at something beautiful or good. By using this phrase, you are simultaneously acknowledging that it is the will of God.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ما (what), شاء (willed) and الله (God), meaning "what God has willed".
Which one should you use?
While ما شاء الله is used to express wonder at something that has already happened or exists, in sha allah is used to express hope for something that will happen in the future.
Did you know?
- While the phrase is central to Islamic faith, it is frequently used by Arabic-speaking Christians and people of other faiths as a general expression of appreciation and cultural courtesy.
- Many people use ما شاء الله specifically to protect someone or something from the 'evil eye'. By attributing the beauty or success to God, the speaker avoids projecting envy that might cause bad luck.
- The first word in the phrase, ما, is a cognate of the Hebrew word מָה and the ancient Ugaritic word 𐎎𐎅, both of which also mean 'what'.
Examples in context
- ما شاء الله، هذا البيت جميل جداً.ma sha' allah, hadha al-baytu jamilun jiddan.Masha allah, this house is very beautiful.
- ما شاء الله، ابنتك ذكية للغاية.ma sha' allah, ibnatuka dhakiyyatun lil-ghaya.Masha allah, your daughter is very smart.
- لقد نجحت في الامتحان، ما شاء الله!laqad najah-ta fil-imtihan, ma sha' allah!You passed the exam, masha allah!
Example conversation
Layla and Ziad are talking about Ziad's new car.
- ليلى Laylaسيارتك الجديدة رائعة، ما شاء الله!sayyaratuka al-jadidah ra'i'ah, ma sha' allah!Your new car is wonderful, masha allah!
- زياد Ziadشكراً لكِ يا ليلى.shukran laki ya Layla.Thank you, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaلونها جميل جداً.lawnuha jamilun jiddan.The color is very beautiful.
- زياد Ziadهذا من ذوقك.hadha min dhawqik.That is very kind of you.
