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Fatwa CenterDifference between In Shaa' Allah and Ma Shaa' Allah
Question
Asalamu alaikum. What is the difference between insha' Allah and Masha' Allah and when is the appropriate time to use each one ?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
The expression “In Shaa’ Allah” (lit. if Allah wills) means making any future act a Muslim wants to do contingent upon the Will of Allah, The Exalted. Allah Says (what means): {And never say of anything, “Indeed, I will do that tomorrow”, Except [you should add], ‘If Allah wills’…} [Quran 18:23-24]
As for the expression (of admiration) “Ma Shaa’ Allah” (lit. What Allah willed has occurred), it is an act of the Sunnah to say it when one sees blessings that he likes or when one fears the effect of an evil eye. This is why the believer instructed his disbelieving friend to say it when he admired his garden. Allah, The Exalted, Says (what means): {And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, ‘What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah’? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children.} [Quran 18:39]
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen 
said: "If a person sees what he likes and fears to envy someone (or something) or to strike someone (or something) with an evil eye, he should say: ‘Ma Shaa’ Allah, Tabaaraka Allah’ (What Allah willed has occurred, Blessed is Allah), so that the person or thing that is seen will not be affected with the evil eye. Likewise, if a person sees something he likes in his own wealth, he should say: ‘Ma Shaa’ Allah, La Quwwata Illa Billaah’ (What Allah willed has occurred. There is no power but with Allah), lest he would become (arrogantly) proud of himself and feel conceited because of such wealth which he liked. If he says: ‘Ma Shaa’ Allah, La Quwwata Illa Billaah’, he duly refers the matter to the Power of Allah.” [End of quote from Fataawa Noorun ‘ala Ad-Darb]
Allah Knows best.
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