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Inshallah (If Allah Wills): Difference between revisions
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'''Inshallah''' (also written as in sha' Allah or insha'Allah), in Arabic إن شاء الله, is an Islamic phrase used Arabic and non-Arabic speaking Muslims. The literal meaning of "in sha' Allah" is "if God wills" and Muslims are supposed to say this phrase whenever they | '''Inshallah''' (also written as in sha' Allah or insha'Allah), in Arabic إن شاء الله, is an Islamic phrase used by Arabic- and non-Arabic-speaking Muslims. The literal meaning of "in sha' Allah" is "if God wills" and Muslims are supposed to say this phrase whenever they express the intent to do something in near or far future.<ref><small>And never say of anything, "Indeed, I will do that tomorrow," Except [when adding], "If Allah wills." And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct."</small> | ||
{{Quran|18|23-24}}</ref> | {{Quran|18|23-24}}</ref> | ||
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The root of شَاءَ is شيا. | The root of شَاءَ is شيا. | ||
A common misspelling places ''in'' and ''sha'' together, so one gets ''insha''. انشاء الله (insha' Allah) means "we created/invented Allah" (insha is from a different root نشا).<ref>Insha is used in the Qur'an. For example in 23:78: | |||
*وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَ لَكُمُ | *وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَ لَكُمُ | ||
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
In Ibn Ishaq's sira (biography of Muhammad), we can read that some people were sent to Jewish rabbis, to ask them how to determine whether Muhammad is a real prophet. They prepared 3 questions for Muhammad and if he answers them | In Ibn Ishaq's sira (biography of Muhammad), we can read that some people were sent to Jewish rabbis, to ask them how to determine whether Muhammad is a real prophet. They prepared 3 questions for Muhammad and said that if he answers them correctly, then he was a prophet. Muhammad replied that he would give them the answers the next day, but after 15 days he was still without any answers. He later explained that this was because he had not said "in sha' Allah": | ||
{{Quote|Sirat Rasul Allah, page 133|...they sent him and `Uqba b. Abu Mu`ayt to the Jewish rabbis in Medina and said to them, 'Ask them about Muhammad; describe him to them and tell them what he says, for they are the first people of the scriptures and have knowledge which we do not possess about the prophets.' They carried out their instructions, and said to the rabbis, 'You are the people of the Taurat, and we have come to you so that you can tell us how to deal with this tribesman of ours.' The rabbis said, 'Ask him about three things of which we will instruct you; if he gives you the right answer then he is an authentic prophet, but if he does not, then the man is a rogue, so form your own opinion about him. Ask him what happened to the young men who disappeared in ancient days, for they have a marvellous story. Ask him about the mighty traveller who reached the confines of both East and West. Ask him what the spirit is. If he can give you the answer, then follow him, for he is a prophet. If he cannot, then he is a forger and treat him as you will.' The two men returned to Quraysh at Mecca and told them that they had a decisive way of dealing with Muhammad, and they told them about the three questions. | {{Quote|Sirat Rasul Allah, page 133|...they sent him and `Uqba b. Abu Mu`ayt to the Jewish rabbis in Medina and said to them, 'Ask them about Muhammad; describe him to them and tell them what he says, for they are the first people of the scriptures and have knowledge which we do not possess about the prophets.' They carried out their instructions, and said to the rabbis, 'You are the people of the Taurat, and we have come to you so that you can tell us how to deal with this tribesman of ours.' The rabbis said, 'Ask him about three things of which we will instruct you; if he gives you the right answer then he is an authentic prophet, but if he does not, then the man is a rogue, so form your own opinion about him. Ask him what happened to the young men who disappeared in ancient days, for they have a marvellous story. Ask him about the mighty traveller who reached the confines of both East and West. Ask him what the spirit is. If he can give you the answer, then follow him, for he is a prophet. If he cannot, then he is a forger and treat him as you will.' The two men returned to Quraysh at Mecca and told them that they had a decisive way of dealing with Muhammad, and they told them about the three questions. | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|19|64}}|And we do not descend but by the command of your Lord; to Him belongs whatever is before us and whatever is behind us and whatever is between these, and your Lord is not forgetful.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|19|64}}|And we do not descend but by the command of your Lord; to Him belongs whatever is before us and whatever is behind us and whatever is between these, and your Lord is not forgetful.}} | ||
After 15 days Muhammad revealed vague answers to the questions. The revealed answers seem to be | After 15 days Muhammad revealed vague answers to the questions. The revealed answers seem to be collections of rumors circulating in Arabia at the time and did not answer the two of the three questions posed with any precision. The verses responding to the question on the number of the [[Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in the Quran|Sleepers of Ephesus]] include phrases like "some people say" with a list of different rumors, instead of giving the exact number. In response to the question regarding peoples' souls, the verses simply conclude that "[[Allah knows best]]". This verse deals with the number of [[Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in the Quran|the sleepers of Ephesus]]: | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|18|22}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|18|22}}| | ||
18:22 '''(Some) say: (They are) three''', the fourth of them being their dog; '''and (others) say: Five''', the sixth of them being their dog, making conjectures at what is unknown; '''and (others yet) say: Seven''', and the eighth of them is their dog. Say: '''My Lord best knows''' their number, none knows them but a few; therefore contend not in the matter of them but with an outward contention, and do not question concerning them any of them.}} | 18:22 '''(Some) say: (They are) three''', the fourth of them being their dog; '''and (others) say: Five''', the sixth of them being their dog, making conjectures at what is unknown; '''and (others yet) say: Seven''', and the eighth of them is their dog. Say: '''My Lord best knows''' their number, none knows them but a few; therefore contend not in the matter of them but with an outward contention, and do not question concerning them any of them.}} | ||
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18:24 Except [when adding], "If Allah wills." (أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ) And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct."}} | 18:24 Except [when adding], "If Allah wills." (أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ) And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct."}} | ||
The third of the responses was a general and, at the time, common formulation of the [[Alexander Romance]]. Critics have pointed out that the 15 days between the questions being posed and answered were probably required by Muhammad to prepare his response, however limited. | |||
==Relevant Quotations== | ==Relevant Quotations== | ||