If you are curious about the term ‘Inshallah,’ then you have probably heard someone say it. The word is from the Arabic language, often practiced by Muslims and non-Muslim Arabs, and means “if God Wills.”
In this blog, we will educate you about Insallah’s meaning, its significance in Islam, and when and how you can say it.
The meaning of Inshallah
Inshallah is an Arabic word that most Muslims use in their daily lives to include Allah’s will in anything. The word literally means ‘if God Wills (it) or God Willing.” This is due to the Muslim belief that nothing can happen without Allah’s will, and it is mentioned in the Quran.
How to pronounce Inshallah?
Inshallah can be divided into three parts.
- In
- Shah
- Allah
You have to put all the pieces together to pronounce Inshallah correctly.
The importance of Inshallah in the Quran
Inshallah, meaning ‘if God wills or God willing’, has been mentioned in several Surahs in the Quran. However, the Arabic words are different. We have listed the Quranic Surahs, which have the same spellings.
In Surah Al-Fath Verse 27, the Quran talks about Allah’s promise to fulfill the vision of his Messenger (PBUH). The verse is giving good news to the believers that they will enter the sacred mosque with security, their heads shaved or their hair shortened. The word Inshallah is used in the Arabic text.
Inshallah is also mentioned in Surah Al-Kahf Verse 69, where Moses (PBUH) is seen promising to a servant of Allah to give him the right knowledge. He said, “You will find me patient, Allah willing, and I will not disobey any of your orders.”
In the same Surah Verse 23 and 24, the Qruan explicitly says never to say of anything, “I will definitely do this tomorrow,” without adding, “if Allah so wills!”
Prophet Joseph (PBUH) received his father and family at the entrance of Egypt, saying, “Enter Egypt, Allah willing, in security.” (Surah Yusuf Verse 99) —The complete story of Prophet Joseph and his brothers is mentioned in Surah Yusuf.
Another example of Inshallah in the Quran can be seen in Surah Al-Muddaththir, where the Quran is warning non-believers of the day of judgment and saying that the Quran is a reminder of that and they will believe in it if Allah wills. (Suran Al-Muddaththir Verse 56)
The importance of Inshallah in Hadiths
The word Inshallah (Allah wills) has been used hundreds of times in the Hadiths but with different spellings. Here are a few Hadiths having Inshallah in them.
In Sunan Abi Dawud 3286, it is written that The Prophet (PBUH) as saying: I swear by Allah, I shall fight against the Quraish. The then said: If Allah wills. He again said: I swear by Allah, I shall fight against the Quraish if Allah wills. He again said: I swear by Allah, I shall fight against the Quraish. He then kept silence. Then he said: If Allah wills.
Abu Dawud said: Al-Walid b. Muslim said on the authority of Sharik: He then said: But he did not fight against them.
The power of Inshallah can be determined by this Hadith, which is narrated by Abu Huraira and tells the story of Solomon. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said “Once Solomon, son of David said, ‘(By Allah) Tonight I will have sexual intercourse with one hundred (or ninety-nine) women each of whom will give birth to a knight who will fight in Allah’s Cause.’ On that a (i.e. if Allah wills) but he did not say, ‘Allah willing.’ Therefore only one of those women conceived and gave birth to a half-man. By Him in Whose Hands Muhammad’s life is, if he had said, “Allah willing’, (he would have begotten sons) all of whom would have been knights striving in Allah’s Cause.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2819)
In another Hadith from Sunan an-Nasa’i 3828, “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘Whoever swears an oath and says: If Allah wills, then he has made an exception.'”
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has mentioned Inshallah in almost everything. He said, “The Dajjal will come to Al-Madinah to find the angels have surrounded it. Neither the plague nor the Dajjal will enter it, if Allah wills.” Trimidhi 224
When and how to use Inshallah in your daily life?
Inshallah is deeply rooted in a Muslim society. If you are from one, you must have seen Muslims saying Inshallah for a job or work that needs to be done. Here are a few examples of Inshallah that are used in our daily lives.
- You will find a good job, Inshallah
- Your business will flourish, Inshallah
- He will be blessed with a kid, Inshallah
- May all your prayers be answered, Inshallah
- I will pass the exam with flying colors, Inshallah
- My your father go to Jannah, Inshallah
There are thousands of examples of Inshallah added to our daily lives, and Muslims use it to add Allah’s will to that work.
The usage of Inshallah in Business
If you live in a Muslim country, you must have seen traders saying Inshallah a thousand times a day. That is not by accident, but Hadith has proven that adding Inshallah in business dealings adds Allah’s will and his barakah.
Here are a few Hadiths defining the significance of Inshallah in business.
- The Chapter on the division of tributes from territories the Muslims have conquered, and spoils of war, will follow the Book of Jihad, if Allah the Most High wills. (Bulugh al-Maram Book 7 Hadith 233)
- Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that Umar ibn al-Khattab said, “There is no hoarding in our market, and men who have excess gold in their hands should not buy up one of Allah’s provisions which he has sent to our courtyard and then hoard it up against us. Someone who brings imported goods through great fatigue to himself in the summer and winter, that person is the guest of Umar. Let him sell what Allah wills and keep what Allah wills.” (Muwatta Malik Book 31 Hadith 56)
Wrap Up
We have thoroughly discussed the meaning of Inshallah in the light of the Holy Quran and Hadiths. We have also educated you on how and where you can use Inshallah and how to pronounce it.
We will keep this blog updated with new information, if there is any. In the meantime, please have a look at our blogs on the meaning of Bismillah and when you should say Alhamdulillah and Sunhaballah.
FAQs
What is the exact meaning of Inshallah?
Inshallah is not a single word in English or Urdu. Its meaning can be translated as ‘If Allah Wills’.
Inshallah is repeated in the Quran and Hadith, which we have referenced above.
What does Inshallah mean in English?
It literally means “If Allah Wills, God Willing.”
How to respond to Inshallah?
If someone says Inshallah for a work or job in front of you, you must reply with Inshallah. By adding Inshallah, you have added Allah’s will to his sentence.
- Example: I will get good marks in exams this year, Inshallah! Your reply: Inshallah, you will.
- Example 2: If someone or thing is lost, you should say Inshallah, they find him or it.
