Say MaShaAllah Laa Quwata Illa Billah

After Alhamdulillah, the second phrase which I feel we should all start using frequently is MaShaAllah Laa Quwata Illa billah (Surah Kahf: 39).

Whenever you see something good or hear something good regarding yourself or another person, say this phrase with sincerity. Admiring someone’s house or car or children or their trip to foreign countries, see someone is a pretty dress or just feel you are blessed in some way, say MaShaAllah Laa Quwata Illa billah.

We all know and fear evil eye, nazar-e bad but, as per my understanding, it is not necessarily from an evil relative or a jealous friend. A child can get it from his mother, a sister from sister or we can even get it from ourselves if we neglect to say phrases like MaShaAllah Laa Quwata illa billa.

This phrase negates arrogance and jealousy. In Surah Kahf we read about two men who both had beautiful gardens but one of them became arrogant and thought that nothing could destroy his wealth and might. The other person cautioned him to say MaShaAllah Laa Quwata Illa billah (What Allah wills [has occurred]; there is no power except with Allah). The rich man did not pay any heed and his garden was ruined before his eyes because of his arrogance.

Another event which I read about was about a companion of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ who was very good looking. While travelling towards Mecca, another sahabi admired Sahl ibn Haneef’s good physique. Immediately afterwards, Sahl fell ill. Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ words are very important here. He asked “Which one of you did this to his brother?” meaning when a prayer of blessing or words like MaShaAllah La Quwata Illa billah while admiring something are not said, it is actually similar to killing the other person with evil eye.

I remember one of my dear friends did not have children for a number of years. Another friend had a son and her attitude changed completely and she wouldn’t let my friend hold her son. I remember her saying something very beautiful. She said, “Agar meray bachay nahin hain, to iss may mera kia qasoor hai and agar kisi kay bachay hain to iss may uss ka kia kamal hai?” I never forgot her words. The one who didn’t have a child was being tested and the one who had a child was also being tested. Everything we have or do not have is because Allah wills it and tests us through it, not through some preference of one person over another. Kamal bhi nahin, quwat bhi nahin aur taqat bhi nahin to phir gharoor aur akkar kis baat ki?

I feel that saying phrases like Alhamdulillah and MaShaAllah frequently and sincerely wash away many of the negative emotions that incite arrogance, pride, anger, envy, jealousy and ill will towards each other. Jealousy is actually our anger or disapproval or dissatisfaction with how Allah distributes His blessings and which one of us can actually dare challenge Allah this way.

(Everything that I write here is per my own understanding. I just pen my own thoughts and if you see a mistake please correct me and guide me)

Say Alhamdulillah!

During their childhood, we try to teach our children the magic words: Thank you, Please, I’m sorry, you are welcome etc. It is true that that children who use these words appear well mannered but I feel that we adults need to learn a few magic words and teach them to our children as well.

The first word is Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah is a unique words that contains in it all aspects of gratitude and praise to Allah. It is an acknowledgement of all the favours bestowed upon us by Allah. Saying this word with sincerity drives away all traces of all negative emotions like distress, sorrow, envy, jealousy, depression, pessimism etc.

The word is literally like an antibacterial soap. It makes you grateful and it makes you thankful and it gives you a positive outlook on life.

So say Alhamdulillah when you wake up in the morning, when you sit in your car, when you drop your children to school, when you eat food, when you wear a dress, when you open the door of your home and your office, when you buy fruits and vegetables. Paying your bills, say Alhamdulillah for you have a home where you use water, electricity and gas for how many do not even have a roof over their heads. 

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Say Alhamdulillah if you sleep on a soft mattress and have a blanket to cover you fo how many people are shivering in the winters. Say Alhamdulillah when you enjoy a cup of hot tea or coffee or when your children eat chocolates for these are luxuries millions cannot afford. Say Alhamdulillah when your children sit down to do their homework for how many children are unable to read a single word.

Saying Alhamdulillah makes you look at the positive side of life. And when you thank Allah for His blessings sincerely, Allah's promise becomes binding.

“And remember when your Lord proclaimed, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favour. But if you deny indeed, my punishment is severe.” [Quran: Chapter 14, Verse 7]

Why wouldn’t you thank Allah for the countless blessings that have been bestowed upon you? Please make it a habit to say Alhamdulillah frequently and with sincerity.