At a glance
ما شاء الله
- Transliteration
- mā shāʾa Allāh, often written mashallah or masha'Allah
- Pronunciation
- maa-shaa-ALLAH
- Literal meaning
- what God has willed
- Everyday sense
- wonderful, how lovely, God bless
- Said when
- admiring something good that already exists or has happened
Where the phrase comes from
Mashallah is made of three Arabic words: ma, "what", shaa, "willed", and Allah, "God". Together they read "what God has willed". The phrase reflects the Islamic belief that events happen by God's will.
The words also appear in Surah al-Kahf, in the story of a man and his garden, where he is told he should have said them when he entered it.
When Muslims say mashallah
Mashallah is said when someone sees or hears something good that has already happened or exists. People say it about a new baby, a graduation, a new home, a good meal or a child's talent. It works like "wonderful" or "how lovely" in English, with the added meaning that the good thing comes from God. The person who receives the praise often replies with alhamdulillah.
Many Muslims also say it as a way of praising without envy. In traditional belief, naming God when admiring something is a way of protecting it from the evil eye, which is why parents often hear mashallah about their children. Communities differ in how much they emphasise this.
The phrase is not limited to Arabic speakers. Muslims of every language say it, and it is common in Urdu, Turkish, Malay, Bengali and many other languages.
Mashallah and inshallah: what is the difference?
Mashallah looks back at something that has happened or exists, and expresses appreciation. Inshallah looks forward and means "if God wills", so it is used for plans and hopes. A simple way to remember it: mashallah is for what is, inshallah is for what will be.
Subhanallah, which means "glory be to God", is used for wonder at something remarkable.
Mashallah and related phrases
Mashallah often appears with other short phrases of praise. This table shows how they compare.
| Phrase | Arabic | Meaning | When it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mashallah | ما شاء الله | What God has willed | Appreciating something good that exists or has happened |
| Tabarakallah | تبارك الله | Blessed is God | Often said with mashallah to praise a person or a thing |
| Alhamdulillah | الحمد لله | Praise be to God | Thanks for a blessing, or in reply to "how are you" |
| Subhanallah | سبحان الله | Glory be to God | Wonder at something remarkable |
| Inshallah | إن شاء الله | If God wills | Plans and hopes for the future |
Examples of mashallah in a sentence
- Mashallah, what a beautiful baby!
- How wonderful, what a beautiful baby!
- Mashallah, you passed with top marks!
- How wonderful, you passed with top marks!
- Mashallah, your new home is lovely.
- God bless, your new home is lovely.
Common questions
What does mashallah mean in English?
Mashallah means "what God has willed" or "God has willed it". In English it is closest to "wonderful", "how lovely" or "God bless", said when you admire something good. It also tells the listener that you see the good thing as coming from God, which is why Muslims say it for blessings of every kind.
When should you say mashallah?
Say it when you see or hear something good that already exists or has happened, such as a new baby, an exam result, a new home or someone's talent. It is used for praise and appreciation. For plans that have not happened yet, Muslims use inshallah, which means "if God wills", instead.
How do you reply to mashallah?
There is no fixed reply. Many people simply say thank you, or answer with jazakallah khair, meaning "may God reward you with good", or barakallahu feek, meaning "may God bless you". Some Muslims answer with alhamdulillah, "praise be to God", to show they credit God for the blessing.
How do you pronounce mashallah?
Say it as maa-shaa-ALLAH, with long first and second vowels and the stress on the last syllable. The sh sounds as in the English word shall. Spelling varies, and you will see mashallah, mashaAllah and masha'Allah, but all of them stand for the same Arabic phrase.
Explore more Arabic phrases
- Alhamdulillahالحمد للهPraise be to God. Thanks for a blessing and the usual reply to how are you.
- Inshallahإن شاء اللهIf God wills. How Muslims talk about plans and hopes for the future.
- Subhanallahسبحان اللهGlory be to God. Said in wonder and as a phrase of remembrance.
- WallahiواللهBy God. The Arabic oath used to stress that something is true.
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This page is a general guide. For your own situation, please consult a qualified scholar.