مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ، لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
What Allah wills, there is no power except with Allah.
Masha Allah, la quwwata illa billah
When to Read
When you see something that causes you to feel envy or discontent, especially when looking at reflections of yourself or others that highlight blessings you feel you lack. This can be when you see someone else's success, beauty, wealth, or even your own reflection if it sparks feelings of inadequacy or jealousy.
How to Read
Recite this with sincerity, acknowledging that all blessings and strength come from Allah alone. It's a declaration of faith and a reminder to redirect your focus from what others possess to Allah's plan for you. Say it with humility, recognizing your own limitations and dependence on Him.
Virtues & Benefits
This phrase is a powerful antidote to envy. By attributing all that is good and all strength to Allah (Masha Allah, la quwwata illa billah), you acknowledge His divine will and power. It helps shift your perspective from comparing yourself to others to appreciating Allah's decree for everyone. It purifies the heart from negative emotions like jealousy and cultivates gratitude for what you have been given. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this specifically to a companion who was experiencing envy after admiring another man's garden.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Salim, from his father, that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab said: ‘Uthman ibn Affan said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘There is no one of you who is more blessed with wealth or children than I, but I and my children are in this valley, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘What Allah wills, there is no power but in Allah.’ (Sahih Muslim 1370). Another narration states: Abu al-Aswad reported that a man who had been with the Prophet (ﷺ) when he was with him on a journey said: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying: ‘O Allah, grant me refuge in Your refuge, and keep me in Your protection, and hasten me towards Your pleasure, and make me one who remembers You often, and make me grateful to You, and make me fear You as if I see You, and make me miserable if I am miserable amongst the righteous. O Allah, grant me a firm resolve in my affair, and grant me the resolve of the rightly guided, and make me thankful for Your bounty, and make me healthy in my body, and make me a pious person who performs the prayers and gives Zakat. O Allah, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor, grant me strength and help me. And the narrator said: I heard him say: ‘And I heard him say: ‘What Allah wills, there is no power but in Allah.’” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3842 - Hasan)