ู ูุง ุดูุงุกู ุงููููููุ ููุง ูููููุฉู ุฅููููุง ุจูุงูููููู
What Allah wills, there is no power except with Allah.
Masha Allah, la quwwata illa billah
When to Read
This beautiful remembrance is for when you see something astonishing, admirable, or even something that might tempt you. It serves as a shield against the evil eye and envy, both from yourself and from others. Itโs a reminder that all blessings and power originate from Allah. Say it when you encounter something that catches your eye and might elicit a feeling of awe or even envy, be it a person's wealth, health, a beautiful object, or a situation that stirs desire.
How to Read
Recite this phrase with sincerity and presence of mind. It's not just words; itโs an acknowledgment of Allah's perfect decree and power. When you see something remarkable, or something that makes you feel a pang of envy or desire, pause and say: 'Masha Allah, la quwwata illa billah.' This deflects potential harm from the evil eye and redirects any feelings of awe or envy back to the Creator, thanking Him and recognizing His supreme power.
Virtues & Benefits
This utterance is a powerful defense against the evil eye (al-'ayn) and envy (hasad). The Prophet Muhammad ๏ทบ taught this specific phrase to protect against the harm that can arise from admiring something without attributing the blessing to Allah, or from envying anotherโs good fortune. It reminds the one reciting it and the one whose admiration might cause harm that all good comes from Allah alone. By saying 'Masha Allah,' you are acknowledging Allah's will and blessing, and by adding 'la quwwata illa billah,' you affirm that no one has power or strength except by Allah, thereby negating any notion of self-reliance or independent ability that could lead to arrogance or envy.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet ๏ทบ said, "The evil eye is a reality. And if anything would outrun the decree, it would be the evil eye. And if you are bathed (meaning, an evil eye is cast upon you), you should perform ablution." (Sahih Muslim 2187) In another narration: Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib narrated from his father that his grandfather was with the Prophet ๏ทบ when he saw a man with a prominent eye (meaning, a large or noticeable eye). The Prophet ๏ทบ said to him, "Do you have a prominent eye like this? You should say, 'O Allah, bless him with it (his eye).'" The Prophet ๏ทบ said, "The evil eye is a reality." (Sunan Ibn Majah 3506 - Hasan) Another relevant narration: โAmir bin Rabiโah narrated that Sahl bin Hunaif went for a bath in al-Kharrar, a place in the desert. He took off his shirt. โAmir bin Rabiโah looked at him and said, โI have never seen such a beautiful skin like this on the body of a hidden pearl.โ Sahl bin Hunaif fell to the ground. He was brought to the Prophet ๏ทบ and it was said to him, โIs there any cure for him?โ He said, โDid you accuse him of anything?โ They said, โYes.โ He said, โHe looked at him with his eye (i.e., cast the evil eye on him). So you should ask him to perform ablution, so he performed ablution and then the Prophet ๏ทบ sprinkled water on him and he recovered.โ (Sunan Ibn Majah 3509 - Hasan, graded as Sahih by some scholars due to supporting narrations) Regarding 'Masha Allah, la quwwata illa billah' specifically, it's often understood in the context of preventing the evil eye when one admires something. While the direct hadith stating this phrase *solely* for protection against evil eye is from Ibn Majah (3145), its meaning is deeply rooted in the Quranic verse: "And why should not we rely on Allah while He has guided us to (our ways of) conduct? And we shall certainly bear patiently with all the hurt you may cause us, and in Allah should all the believers put their trust." (Surah Ibrahim 14:11), and the general concept of 'Masha Allah' being used to acknowledge blessings.