The word inshallah, Inshallah or Insha'Allah is translated from Arabic as “If God wills”, “If it is God's will”. Muslims in this way express humility before the will of the Almighty - this is a ritual statement, but it is often used as an interjection exclamation.
The word inshallah in everyday speech is a marker of the future tense, it indicates the plans of a person. In Russian, similar phrases sound like this: “if we live” or “if God willing”.
Among Muslims, the answer "Inshallah" or "Insha'Allah" can be a polite refusal to a request or an uncomfortable question. This is a tactful answer, since the faithful do not say "no" to requests - it is impolite. And if they said "inshallah", it means: "If Allah does not intervene, what you ask or ask for is impossible."
In their holy book, the Koran, it is written: "Do not say" I will do it tomorrow, "but say" if Allah wishes it. " Therefore, Muslims consider it imperative to say "inshallah" every time when it comes to matters in the future. And if a person has forgotten to say this phrase, it can be repeated later.
Inshallah also points to the hopes of a person, to his desires for something to happen in the future. In the modern Islamic world, the word "Insha'Allah" is often spoken in colloquial speech.
Inshallah history
When the Prophet Mohammed was just beginning to preach Islam, the Meccan tribes met him with great hostility. They did not want to know anything about tawheed, and called the prophet a madman, a liar or a sorcerer. They tried in every possible way to interfere with his sermons.
And then the day came when the Quraysh decided to check Mohammed. They sent messengers to Arabia, to the Jewish tribes, to get advice. All the Meccans were pagans, but they trusted the Jews, for they were a people who were versed in the Scriptures, the people of the Book. And the rabbis answered the request for help: they offered to ask Mohammed three questions. He could be considered a true prophet if he answered 2 of them, but if he found the answer to everything, he would be a liar.
The Quraysh were delighted. They decided that they could confuse Mohammed, because he was not a Jew, did not know the Scriptures, how could he understand how to answer the questions? Moreover, Mohammed was illiterate. And the questions were:
- “What happened to the young men in the cave?”;
- “Who was the king who ruled in the west and east?”;
- "What is spirit, what is it?"
Hearing these questions, Mahomet promised to answer the next day, but he did not add inshallah. The prophet waited for the revelation for 14 days, but it was not there. And the hostility of the Meccans grew: they gloated, called Mohammed a liar, who broke this word.
However, on the 15th day, the surah of the Koran was revealed to Mohammed, which is now recommended for all Muslims to read on Fridays. This surah answered only two questions, while the third remained unanswered, and at the very beginning of it there was a clear indication that one should not make a promise without adding inshallah to it.
Thus, the word entered the Muslim speech.
Religious significance
In the religious interpretation, when a person says "Insha'Allah", he entrusts himself, his future and his deeds to the will of Allah. Muslims believe that nothing in their life happens by chance: everything is chosen by Allah, plays an important role or carries a lesson. And if God wants to teach a person something, point to something or give a sign, then he uses the will, actions and desires of the person himself.
Inshallah thus points out: whatever people plan, and whatever they want, everything depends only on Allah. It is for this reason, when talking about plans and desires, it is so important to mention him and claim that everything is in his hands.
In addition, reflecting on the surah, Muslim theologians came to the conclusion that the word "Insha'Allah" contains 3 indications for wise actions:
- People avoid lying. When a person says “I will do it tomorrow,” and then does not, it turns out that he lied, even if objective reasons prevented him. And if he adds "inshallah", then he presupposes that something beyond his control may happen, which means that there is no lie.
- People avoid regret. When a person plans a lot in the future, even for tomorrow, and then plans suddenly collapse, he feels regret that he did not do what was planned. Sometimes remorse. But if he says "inshallah", then he agrees that Allah may not like his plans, and they can be transferred to another day with peace of mind.
- People ask permission from Allah. This prayer word connects a person with God, moreover, when he says "inshallah", he asks for permission and help so that everything goes well.
Correct writing
The word "inshallah" must be written correctly even in another, Russian or English, language. Most often, they write like this: "inshallah", "inshaallah", and for a person who knows the Arabic language, it will look wrong. The specified spelling options in a literal translation sounds like "create Allah."
And in order for the meaning of the word to be conveyed accurately, all its parts must be written separately: “in sha Allah”. In this case, the translation will be "as Allah wills."
"Mashalla" and "Allah Akbar"
Mashalla is also a religious exclamation of Muslims, very close in meaning to "inshallah". It is used when you want to express:
- joy or surprise;
- gratitude to God;
- obedience and recognition that life depends only on Allah.
But unlike Insha'Allah, Mashallah is used in relation to events that have already happened. This is usually said when good news is received and when cases are being resolved as planned. And in Russian, similar phrases sound like this: "Thank God!" or "Well done!"
Muslims believe that the word "mashalla" can protect from the evil eye, therefore they use it in the same way as the Russians do - knocking on wood or symbolic spitting over the shoulder.
The phrase "Allah Akbar" is also close in meaning to "inshallah" and "mashallah", because it is used to express praise and joy to Allah. Literally, the phrase is translated as "The Greatest Allah", it is used on religious holidays, political speeches, etc.
The word "Akbar" literally translates as "senior" or "important", in the phrase it goes as an epithet to the name of God. In ancient times, "Allah Akbar" was a battle cry among Muslims, now it is used much more widely: for example, during the traditional beating of cattle during religious holidays, or after a successful performance instead of applause. In addition, "Allah Akbar" is the basis of traditional Arabic calligraphy, the phrase can often be seen as an ornament.
