Masha'allah ibn Atharī (c.740-d.815 AD) was an eighth century astrologer and astronomer from the city of Basra (now located in modern day Iraq) who became the leading astrologer of the late 8th century. The Arabic phrase ma sha`a allah indicates acceptance of what God has ordained in terms of good or ill fortune that may befall a believer. His name is usually Latinized as Messala or Messahalla. The Messala crater, on the Moon, is named after him. As a young man he participated in the fo… (More on Mashallah)