«اِلسَّعْدْ وَعْدْ»

The saying holds that good fortune is not earned or chased down but allotted in advance. A person's luck is treated as something pledged to them before they ever act, so whatever good comes their way was already set aside for them. Its key word, sa'd, also carries shades of luck and happiness.

In practice it discourages the idea that cleverness or striving alone secures success. It can soothe someone who tried hard and failed, or explain why an undeserving person prospers, by pointing to destiny rather than merit or mere chance. In Arabic, the rhyme of sa'd and wa'd gives it a punch that English renderings lose.

Suitable when someone gains an advantage that effort or skill cannot explain, or to console a person whose hard work went unrewarded. It frames the outcome as meant to be, so it can sound resigned or gently teasing depending on tone.