Mā šāʾ Allāh (ما شاء الله) is an Arabic phrase that expresses appreciation, joy, praise or thankfulness for an event or person that was just mentioned.[1] Towards this, it is used as an expression of respect, while at the same time serving as a reminder that all accomplishments are so achieved by the will of God. The literal English translation is "God has willed it",[1] the present perfect of God's will accentuating the essential Islamic doctrine of belief in destiny (Qadar). It is generally said upon hearing good news. Another reason people use this phrase is to protect themselves from jealousy, catching the evil eye, or jinxing.
Example:
Person A: I have just become a new father!
Person B: Masha'Allah!
The phrase is also used frequently by non-Muslims in the Arab World.
The phrase has also found its way into the colloquial language of many non-Arabic peoples, such as Persians, Turks (who say "maşallah"), Kurds, Armenians, Bosniaks, Albanians and Muslims and Urdu-speakers of South Asia (who say "Masha'allah"), and some of the peoples of the Balkans who once lived under Turkish rule, including some who are not of the Islamic faith. A living example of this phenomenon is witnessed in the vernacular form of Cypriot Greek whereby speakers invoke Masha'Allah in a similar fashion to their Turkish counterparts.
The triliteral of šāʾ is š-y-ʾ "to will", a doubly weak root.