4. What is the meaning of ( مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ )

Ans: "That which Allah wills there is no power except with Allah."

This ayath comes in the story of the companion of the two gardens in the Surah Kahaf. In this story a poor companion was making conversation with his rich companion:

          •  The rich person was a disbelieving man. (18:32)

          •  Allah says, “We gave two gardens of grapevines, which We surrounded with palm trees and placed various crops in between. Each garden yielded ˹all˺ its produce, never falling short. And We caused a river to flow between them.” (18:32 and 33)

         •   He boasted to a poor companion of his, while conversing with him, “I am greater than you in wealth and superior in manpower.” (18:34)

         •   He entered in his garden by saying, “I do not think this will ever perish, nor do I think the Hour will ever come. And if in fact I am returned to my Lord, I will definitely get a far better outcome than all this.” (18:35 and 36)

         •   His believing companion replied, “Do you disbelieve in the One Who created you from dust, then developed you from a sperm-drop, then formed you into a man? But as for me: He is Allah, my Lord, and I will never associate anyone with my Lord in worship. (18:37 and 38)

         •   If only you had said, upon entering your property, ‘This is what Allah has willed! There is no power except with Allah!’ (18:39)

         •   Even though you see me inferior to you in wealth and offspring, perhaps my Lord will grant me something better than your garden, and send down upon your garden a thunderbolt from the sky, turning it into a barren waste. Or its water may sink into the earth, and then you will never be able to seek it out.” (18:40 and 41).

         •   And so all his produce was totally ruined, so he started to wring his hands for all he had spent on it, while it had collapsed on its trellises. He cried, “Alas! I wish I had never associated anyone with my Lord in worship!” (18:42).

But it was too late. And he had no group of men to help him against Allah, nor could he defend or save himself. (18:43 and 44)

Now coming to this ayath:

One of the Salaf said, "Whoever is delighted with something in his circumstances or his wealth or his children, let him say, ( ( مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّه `That which Allah wills! There is no power but with Allah!'''

It was reported in the Sahih from Abu Musa (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)said: "Shall I not tell you about some of the treasure of Paradise - La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" (There is no power or might but with Allah). So do not say only "Masha Allah." Better say along with: (لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ). If a person sees something amazing with wealth in other than himself then he should say "Barakallaahu Alayhi (May Allah bless it for him)".