«قِيرَاطْ بَخْتْ وَلَا فَدَّانْ شَطَارَهْ»

The saying prefers a tiny portion of good fortune over a vast stretch of cleverness. Here the qirat is a land measure, one twenty-fourth of a feddan, so the image weighs one small sliver of land against a whole field, and the small sliver of luck is preferred.

It expresses the view that outcomes often turn on chance as much as competence. A modest stroke of luck may achieve more than abundant shrewdness or skill. The saying weighs luck against skill rather than claiming that effort or talent is worthless.

Fits moments when someone with modest ability prospers while a more capable person is passed over, or when a speaker reflects ruefully that diligence alone did not secure the outcome. It can carry resignation, irony, or mild envy, depending on tone.