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Fatwa CenterWriting ما شاءَ اللَّهُ at the Front of the House
Question
Many people put boards outside homes saying "Ma Sha Allah/Ma Sha Allah La Quwwata Illa Billah" believing that this protects them from evil eye. Is it minor shirk if they believe it is a means of protection from Allah and it's major shirk if they believe it protects them without attributing the protection being from Allah?Does the difference in opinion about hanging Quran verses also apply for these "Ma Sha Allah" boards
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.
In our view, there is nothing wrong with writing ما شاءَ اللَّهُ {What Allah willed [has occurred]}; as it is a matter of reminding people of this lawful remembrance when a person enters his home, and when he sees what he likes.
Some righteous predecessors used to write like this on the front of their homes, or on the door of their houses; Ibn al-‘Arabi said in Ahkaam al-Qur’aan:
“Among the times in which it is desirable to remember Allah, is when one of us enters his house or his mosque, to say as Allah Says (what means): {And why did you, when you entered your garden} [Quran 18:39]; that is to say your house, not say, {What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah'?} [Quran 18:39]. Ash'hab said: “Maalik said: ‘Everyone who enters his house should say this.’” Besides, Ibn Wahb said: “Hafs ibn Maysara said to me: ‘I saw on the door of Wahb bin Munabbih written: “{What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah'?}” [End of quote]
As for getting involved in the issue of hanging amulets and assuming unrealistic intentions of Muslims in such matters, then this is overburdening oneself with what one is not required to do, and it is only whispers.
How can a sane person imagine that someone writes on his house ما شاءَ اللَّهُ (what Allah wills), while believing that this writing protects him independently without the will of Allah?
Allah knows best.
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