Saying Mashallah when something Amazes You

Saying Mashallah when you see something that amazes you

عن أنس بن مالك ، رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : « من رأى شيئا فأعجبه ، فقال : ما شاء الله ، لا قوة إلا بالله ، لم يضره العين » . يعني : لا يصيبه العين

Anas ibn Malik (Radi Allahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Sallahu Alayhi Wa Salim) said, “ Whoever sees something that amazes him, let him say, “ Mashallah, La Quwata illa bil lah” Hence, by doing so that person won’t be affected by the evil Eye.”

Collected by Ibn Sunni (207)

Al-Haythami graded this hadeeth as being extremely weak. (Majmu’ 5/109)

Therefore doing this act is an innovation as it’s not authentically reported in the Quran or Sunnah.

Shaykh Mahir Al-Qahtani ( May Allah preserve him) said: “ Al-Manawee erred in his interpretation of the hadeeth where the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salim) said, “ Ask Allah to bless him . He interpreted this to mean say,” Mashallah La howla wa la quwata ilah billah”. Furthermore Al-Manawee thought that saying these words repel the evil eye. Moreover there isn’t any proof that the words ,” Ask Allah for blessings” indicate saying,” Mashallah La howla wa la quwata ilah billah”.

On the contrary the words,” Ask Allah for blessings ” only  imply  asking Allah to bless him; as mentioned in the various authentic reports of the sunnah. [ page 48 Raf’ul Ghayin]

Reviving the Sunnah- Asking Allah’s Blessings when You see something that Amazes you

The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salim) said:

إِذَا رَأَى أَحَدُكُمْ مِنْ أَخِيهِ مَا يُعْجِبُهُ ، فَلْيَدْعُ

 “Whenever one of you sees something with his brother that amazes him,  ask  Allah to bless him.”

Collected by ibn Majah (3500) and graded as being Saheeh by Shaykh Al-Albani.

The order in this hadeeth to ask your brother for Allah’s blessings is obligatory.

It’s a must as the verb is in the present tense and preceded by the :lam لام

Which signals an obligatory order, unless there is a context that shows otherwise.

Ibn Qayyim said : The envious person has been ordered to say ,  “ Oh Allah bless him- Allahumma Barak Alayhi. This repels jealously and envy. [ Zad ]

Ibn Abdul Barr (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “ This means a person says, “ Tabarak Allah” [ Tamheed 6-234]

Shaykh Mahir Al-Qahtani (may Allah preserve him) said: This hadeeth means a person can say, “ Barakallahu alayhi, Barakallahu feehee, or Barakallahu lahu.”

Taken from Rafu’l Ghayain by Shaykh Mahir Al-Qahtani

Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Lamont Battle Sr.

Doha, Qatar 1432