Are you wondering what Mashallah means? Have you heard a Muslim friend say Mashallah at a specific occasion or place? Look no further because you have landed on the right page.
In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about Mashallah, why Muslims say Mashallah, and what its benefits are.
What does Mashallah mean| Mashallah definition
Mashallah can be defined as a way to glorify Allah by appreciating his creation. It can be anything, such as a beautiful scene that includes a mountain, lake, and meadows. It can be a woman, or it can be the beautiful blue sky or ocean.
The word Mashallah means ‘the will of Allah or Allah’s will.’ It coincides with Inshallah, which has a similar meaning but slightly different usage in Arabic sentences. The main difference between them is that Mashallah is used for the past, and Inshallah is used for the future.
How to pronounce Mashallah?
Mashallah can be broken into three parts to pronounce correctly. Here are the pieces.
- Maaa
- Shah
- Allah
You can pronounce Mashallah correctly by joining the three words.
What is the use of Mashallah?
Mashallah is used to get Allah’s blessings from the evil eye. In today’s world, Muslims say Mashallah after seeing a beautiful place, person, or thing.
We can use Mashallah in our daily lives. Here are a few examples of Mashallah in a sentence.
- Your sister is blessed with a baby girl, Mashallah!
- I got a new job, Mashallah.
- Mashallah you have became a father
- Your son has passed the exam with flying colors, Mashallah!
What is the difference between Inshallah and Mashallah?
Both words have a similar meaning, ‘if Allah wills,’ but they are used in different contexts in the Quran. Mashallah is used to describe the past, and Inshallah is used for the present. Here are a few examples of Mashallah vs. Inshallah.
- Mashallah means Allah has willed.
- Inshallah means if Allah wills it.
- I will pray five times starting today, Inshallah.
- He prays five times a day, Mashallah.
- Your sister is blessed with a son, Mashallah.
- Your sister will be blessed with a son, Inshallah.
The significance of Mashallah in the Quran
The word Mashallah can be seen in more than four surahs of the Holy Quran. However, the word is used with Illa at the beginning, which doesn’t change its meaning.
The Quran says in Surah Al-A’la Verse 6-7, We will have you recite ˹the Quran, O Prophet,˺ so you will not forget ˹any of it˺ unless Allah wills otherwise. He surely knows what is open and what is hidden.
In Surah Yunus, Allah talks about the messengers and books he sent to the people of this world to take guidance. Those who are blessed with the knowledge and the messenger will not be wronged. Those who don’t follow the commands of Allah will be doomed and punished.
Here is the verse defining Mashallah.
They ask ˹the believers˺, “When will this threat come to pass if what you say is true?” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I have no power to benefit or protect myself, except by the Will of Allah.” For each community there is an appointed term. When their time arrives, they cannot delay it for a moment, nor could they advance it. — Surah Yunus Verse 48.
In Surah Al-An’am, Allah is warning the believers from the day of judgement. Those who don’t follow the path of Allah and associate them with evil will be thrown in fire, expect those who Allah wills to forgive. The complete verses are as follows.
That is your Lord’s Path—perfectly straight. We have already made the signs clear to those who are mindful. They will have the Home of Peace with their Lord, Who will be their Guardian because of what they used to do.
˹Consider˺ the Day He will gather them ˹all˺ together and say, “O assembly of jinn! You misled humans in great numbers.” And their human associates will say, “Our Lord! We benefited from each other’s company, but now we have reached the term which You appointed for us.” ˹Then˺ He will say, “The Fire is your home, yours to stay in forever, except whoever Allah wills to spare.” Surely your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. — Surah Al-An’am Verse 128.
In Surah Al-A’raf, the Quran talks about the non-believers saying that they haven’t looked upon the wonders of the heavens and the earth and what other message they believe in if they question the Holy Quran. They will ask the prophet about the day of judgment, which is know to Allah only.
Mashallah is used in verse 188, which says, “I have no power to benefit or protect myself, except by the Will of Allah. If I had known the unknown, I would have benefited myself enormously, and no harm would have ever touched me. I am only a warner and deliverer of good news for those who believe.”
Mashallah or Illa Mashallah, which is correct?
Both words mean the same: ‘If Allah wills or if willed by Allah.’ However, due to Arabic grammar, the word Illa Mashallah is used more times than Mashallah in the Holy Quran, but the meaning is the same.
Mashallah in Hadith
We have searched several Hadith books and found Mashallh, but only a few Hadiths.
Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘When anyone of you swears an oath, let him not say: ‘What Allah wills and what you will.’ Rather let him say: ‘What Allah wills and then what you will.’ — Sunan Ibn Majah 2117
In another Hadith from Aisha (RA), Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to pray four Rak’at in Duha prayer and increase (the number of Rak’at) as much as Allah willed.” [Reported by Muslim].
In another Hadith narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Yasar, from Qutailah, a woman from Juhainah, that a Jew came to the Prophet and said: “You are setting up rivals (to Allah) and associating others (with Him). You say: ‘Whatever Allah wills and you will,’ and you say: ‘By the Ka’bah.'” So the Prophet commanded them, if they wanted to swear an oath, to say: “By the Lord of the Ka’bah;” and to say: “Whatever Allah wills, then what you will.”
Examples of Mashallah in a sentence and its reply
The Hadith and Quran have no perfect or prescribed reply to Mashallah. The word Mashaal is mostly used to complement a person. If you are getting compimented on your achivenmets by ‘Mashallah’, you can reply with Jazak Allah, whcih means may Allah reward you.
Example:
- You are 30 years old and have built your own house, a family, and a car, Mashallah! You can reply by saying Jazakallah.
- Thank You for having us for dinner tonight. The food was great, Mashallah. Reply with Jazakallah, and I will invite you again.
Wrap Up
From the Quran and Hadiths, we can surely say that Mashallah or Illa Mashallah is used in Arabic to show Allah’s will (as in the past). However, a similar word, Inshallah, is used to ask for Allah’s will in the future.
We have also mentioned the uses of Mashallah with its meaning, definition and examples so that you can have a better idea of this word and can employ this in your daily conversations.
FAQs
What does Mashallah mean in English?
Mashallah means ‘it is willed by Allah’.
Inshallah vs Mashallah, which is the best?
Both have their own importance and significance. As mentioned above, Mashallah is used to admire the past, and Inshallah is used for the future by adding Allah’s will.
Mashallah in the Muslim world
Mashalah has a unique power, and Muslims believe in it. You will see a number of shops and restaurants starting with this word. Here are a few popular examples of business with the word Mashallah.
- Mashallah African Restaurant is a popular eatery in Louisville, KY.
- Mashallah.us is a new jewelry store in Chicago, USA.
- Mashallah Halal Foods is a restaurant in San Francisco serving only Halal food.
These are a few examples from the United States. If you go to a Muslim country, you will see a lot of shops with Mashallah in their names.
What is the meaning of Mashallah Tabarakallah?
Mashallah means what Allah has willed, and Tabarakallah means reward from Allah. Both words mean ‘What Allah has willed, Rewarded from Allah’
How to respond to Mashallah?
Whenever a person compliments you and says Mashalah, say Jazakallah in reply.
Mashallah Hbibi meaning?
This phrase compliments a woman, whether for her beauty or her duty. We have a separate blog on the meaning of Habib, which you should read next.
What does Mashallah La Quwwata Illa Billah mean?
This is probably one of the most powerful dua in Islam. It means, ‘This is what Allah has willed! There is no power except with Allah!’, and is mentioned in Surah Al-Kahf Verse 39.
Alhamdulillah vs Mashallah?
Both have different meanings and are used on different occasions. We have already explained the meaning of Mashallah. Alhamdulillah means ‘Praise be to Allah.’ Muslims use Alhamdulillah whenever they are rewarded or feel rewarded by Allah.
Allahumma Barik vs Mashallah?
Allahumma Barik means ‘allahumma barik’. It is used to complement someone or thing. However, Mashallah is predominantly used and is considered more powerful.
