IBRAHIM AL-AMMAR
Published — Monday 9 March 2015
Last update 9 March 2015 3:15 am
Whenever I was asked by some non-Arab friends or co-workers to do something for them, I would say, “Insha Allah,” which means I’d be happy to. It always confused me to see some of their reactions: Disappointment, annoyance maybe on the verge of hopelessness!
Why is that? The reason, it appears, is that this word has taken on a new, undesirable meaning.
What does the Arabic “Insha Allah” mean? It’s actually a phrase and not one word, but the words are combined into one for easier pronunciation. This phrase is used worldwide by Muslims of all languages, even recognized among many non-Muslims, and it means “God willing.” Three words make up this phrase: “In”, which means “if”; “Shaa’ ”, which means “will;” and “Allah,” meaning “God.” Literally, it means “If God wills so.”
It’s part of every Muslim’s daily vocabulary, as we are taught by Islam not to make definitive statements about the future, since only God knows what will happen. This means that if someone asked me to provide him with something, instead of “I will give it to you today” I should say: “I will give it to you today, Insha Allah.”
Another reason it’s very commonly used in Arabic circles is that it’s a phrase of respect. As kids, when our parents tell us, “Do your homework” or “clean up your room,” it’s more respectful to say “Insha Allah” instead of plainly “OK.”
So those are two reasons this phrase is widespread here: Religious and cultural. Seems harmless enough. Except that some of the reactions that some non-Arabs have expressed make it seem as if the phrase means: “Keep dreaming!”
Apparently, this word has become associated with what is called “second-hand procrastination,” i.e. never getting things done…for other people. Say a guy visits the Jawazat, or Customs, or a company, to fix a problem with his documents. He hands the required papers to the official, and waits. When he checks the status of the application one week later, the response is: “Not finished yet, Insha Allah tomorrow it will be.” He checks tomorrow and gets to know it’s not done yet, but “Insha Allah next week.” He visits next week, hoping his papers are ok now, only for the official to indifferently mutter with his eyes on his monitor: “Not finished yet, Insha Allah next week.”
Aha! So that is how this word got this reputation. Misuse, nay, abuse!
I think it’s wrong to use this word in such a negative manner. Maybe these people are used to the word and utter it automatically, but in situations where it is likely to be attached to an undesirable meaning, it should not be used at all. It’s actually a great word.
We will all apply this principle from now on, Insha Allah!
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Saudi Arabia
The bottom line is when we say what we do not mean..and to add insult to injury…we add a religious connotation to it.
Sometimes I think it is best to stay true to your word and overtime a person becomes known for his credibility.
When I speak a language, I find it appropriate to stick to the words of that language only.
For example, instead of saying: It is a good habit that we perform wudhu before every namaz ba’jamaat. A good time for such tarbiyyat is at the time of Jalsa salana”
we may say: It is good to perform Ablution before the congretional prayers. A good traning is at the time of the annual convention.
keep reminding ,surely reminding is useful.Jazak,Allah
Chapter 87,surah al,Alaa,The Most High
فَذَكِّرْ إِنْ نَفَعَتِ الذِّكْرَىٰ {9}
[Shakir 87:9] Therefore do remind, surely reminding does profit.
[Pickthal 87:9] Therefor remind (men), for of use is the reminder.
[Yusufali 87:9] Therefore give admonition in case the admonition profits (the hearer).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 87:9]
The effectiveness of the admonition depends upon the capacity of those who hear the reminder. The cases where admonition produces positive benefits and where it does not, are mentioned in verses 10 and 11. When the message of Allah is proclaimed, it creates positive response in those in whose hearts is the fear of Allah, which those who run away from it, reject and belie it prepare their own ruin. They will be thrown into the fire of hell where they will neither die nor live. See commentary of Ta Ha: 74. Those in whose hearts is the fear of Allah purify their souls by not disobeying or revolting against the commands of Allah, and by submitting their souls to the will of Allah, and never going astray from the path of righteousness. They are those who really glorify the name of their most high Lord as mentioned in verse 1. The transgressors prefer the life of this world but those who have purified their souls know that the blessings of the hereafter are for ever with which they will be rewarded by Allah.
Refer to the commentary of Ibrahim: 4. Godliness and righteousness have been preached to mankind in all ages. They have been renewed and reiterated again and again. All the prophets of Allah came to convey the message of Allah. Some paid attention and accepted the truth and some rejected and rebelled against it.
There must have been some testament of Ibrahim, which like so many other scriptures is now lost to the world. A book, said to be apocryphal, entitled the Testament of Abraham was translated from the Greek original and published for the first time in 1892, at Cambridge, by M. R. James.
The book of Musa referred to here is the original Tawrat. The present Pentateuch is a man-made revision (see page 374).
http://quran.al-islam.org/