The Abuse of Insha'Allah.

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#1 [Permalink] Posted on 12th January 2023 15:05

Bismillah

The Abused Insha'Allah.
.

Inshallah, insh’Allah, insha’Allah -God willing is a very frequently used term among Muslims. It stands for “if God wills, it will happen” and it’s meant to be said as a positive thing. Responding with “inshallah” after having been asked to do something, should be like a promise to do ones best to get the job done. Only if God wills otherwise they wouldn’t be able to deliver that promise.

Despite it’s true meaning, in reality ‘inshallah’ is widely used to express something else altogether. In fact, it has become like a promise not do something. Within the workplaces in KSA, where multiple nationalities and cultures mix, ‘inshallah’ has caught on a negative connotation to it. The saying is commonly used and abused by expats and Saudis as well.

In Saudi hospital culture, which I’m familiar with due to my profession, ‘inshallah’ is generally used to brush things off as unimportant or insignificant. When there are no intentions to actually perform a task, a plain ‘inshallah’ is the most common response. ‘Inshallah’ is used as a sort ‘buffer’ to soften what the person really wants to say; “NO”. The saying can also be used when someone doesn’t take the person or question at hand seriously. Sometimes when people are just too busy, they say ‘inshallah’ to take the responsibility off oneself. Sort of like saying, if they don’t have time to do the job, it was not their fault, because ‘God willed it” so to say.
Simply not knowing the answer to something is more often an inshallah than “I don’t know”. ‘Bukra inshallah’ is something everyone in Saudi Arabia will hear every so often. In other words, ‘inshallah bukra’ means it’s not. gonna. happen. Person saying it is well aware of this but lets just say ‘inshallah’ if a miracle were to occur and the it would actually happen!
Inshallah has been abused to the point it has become something negative. It triggers ill feelings and it has the tendency to make people really annoyed.

More examples from the healthcare field: For instance patients sometimes get upset and refuse to accept an “inshallah” from the doctors as an answer. They know very well it’s like a false promise, that the doctor is in fact hiding something or it means a delay in treatment. Nurses at times tell patients “inshallah” rather than “I’m sorry I can’t” when too busy to perform certain tasks, giving patients false hopes.
Pharmacists might use ‘inshallah’ when asked for how long it will take for the medication to be prepared.

A ward clerk might opt to say “inshallah” to try and get rid of demanding relatives asking too many questions.
When discussing diagnosis or prognosis with patients some physicians rather say “inshallah” then reveal the truth of the matter which is probably one of the worst instances to use the term.

And the list goes on unfortunately. It’s as if ‘inshallah’ has been turned upside down from its real meaning, to the point where people have begun using it in sentences like “Don’t inshallah me!”.

Source. www.blueabaya.com/

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Abdur Rahman ibn Awf

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#2 [Permalink] Posted on 12th January 2023 15:31

Abdur Rahman ibn Awf wrote:

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Honestly speaking, it really is annoying sometimes.
Lol 🤣🤣 Joe Biden said it to Donald Trump back in 2020 during a debate, confused so many people.
youtu.be/q0oraBQGuy0

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#3 [Permalink] Posted on 12th January 2023 15:52

Ibn Ghafoor wrote:

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Bismillah.

It is worse then that.
Researching for this thread I came across examples. Which shows how much of a mockery we have made of this phrase.

Children becoming angry when they hear the phrase "Insha'Allah' and developing hatred for it because they know when their parents use this phrase it means no and or I am not going to do it.

Non-muslim employers and managers becoming enraged when they hear the phrase one example I read was with the person saying "Dont give me Insha'Allah just tell me whether you are going to do it or not"

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Abdur Rahman ibn Awf

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#4 [Permalink] Posted on 12th January 2023 16:36

Unfortunately there is also something called "The TJ inshaAllah"

This type of inshaAllah was used heavily by so many people when confronted by brothers on tabligh. It was and still is abused a lot to mean "Yeah right" "Fat chance of that happening" "Next Question" "Move along"

At the same time, it is so important to use this phrase at the right time at the right place.

www.muftisays.com/forums/12-virtues/6782-reproach-for-not...

www.muftisays.com/forums/27-sharing-portal/4485-importanc...

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Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.
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#5 [Permalink] Posted on 12th January 2023 17:38

abu mohammed wrote:

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What is TJ insha allah?

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#6 [Permalink] Posted on 12th January 2023 17:42

akbar703 wrote:

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Insha-Allah used as an excuse when brothers from TJ knock on the door.

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#7 [Permalink] Posted on 12th January 2023 17:47

Abdur Rahman ibn Awf wrote:

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Nothing wrong there.
They have the right to do that.

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#8 [Permalink] Posted on 12th January 2023 18:57

akbar703 wrote:

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Bismillah.

So if Brothers from Tabligh Jamaat come to my house and say Brother we are at the Masjid, please visit us and listen to bayaan. And I say "I will Insha'Allah" without having any real intention of doing so.

Would that be okay, or would I be lying and deceiving???

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#9 [Permalink] Posted on 13th January 2023 01:24

Abdur Rahman ibn Awf wrote:

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I express my real response.
1. Why should I visit masjid and listen to your bayan. I am not gaining anything.
2. Who has seen the aakhirah
3. I have better work to do.

That results in:
Are we not putting words of kufr o shirk in his mouth.
The inviter will get demoralized.

If he says insha Allah, he is hopeful that a day will come his heart will change and will visit masjid. That is positive, hopeful, benefits both invitee and inviter.

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#10 [Permalink] Posted on 13th January 2023 09:21

akbar703 wrote:

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Yes, we agree. But the issue still is about the intent and its correct use.

Many people say inshaAllah with the intention to not even bother to carry out the action. it has unfortunately become the polite way to say "No"

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#11 [Permalink] Posted on 13th January 2023 09:27

Saying inshaAllah with no intention to do something as a substitute for "No" is dishonest and goes against Qur'aan.

The Qur'aan says to say inshaAllah instead of "I'll do this tomorrow" I.e. positive intention. It's absolutely dishonest and disrespectful and maybe sinful to use it as a "no"

When TJ "saathees" came to my house and asked me to join them after Salaah, I said No. It threw them back a little. It's almost like they wanted "inshaAllah" but I had plans, work and other duties. It wasn't difficult to say "No sorry"

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#12 [Permalink] Posted on 13th January 2023 09:41

just to play devil advocate here, even if someone does say Inshallah without intention of carrying it out, isnt it better to still use islamic vocab rather than hopefully and il see? i feel it adds to ones islamic identity.

personally i dont know anyone who does use inshallah with no intention of abuse ( barring celebs or comedians which is actually kufe if they mocking) but alot do it as they either dont want to upset anyone say no. take example when i am asked if i can do something, if i know im going to busy and very slim chance i will still say inshallah as its meaning is still applicable. eg can i go to shaykhs talk in manchester next week despite me having alot of stuff to do that weeknd, i can say inshallah as maybe Allah will intervene and help me with my affairs so i am free that weekend.

also some dont like being told straight no or i cant and get offeded. again tjs when they ask u to go jamaat. i even say i have no intention of going 3 days but they persist so eventually only way to get them off your back is to say ok inshallah il go.

like i said i never really expereince what many are saying here and if it was somone askin me lets go clubbing drinking etc and i say inshallah ( with no intention ever) then yes it be wrong cos but if its something im open to but unlikely to do then i dont see harm in inshAllah

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#13 [Permalink] Posted on 13th January 2023 10:03

Yasin wrote:

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What will be your reaction if you are on other side.
You are in jawla group.

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#14 [Permalink] Posted on 13th January 2023 13:23

akbar703 wrote:

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Bismillah.

I would be pleased the Brother was honest and to the point. And make dua for him and his family and move on to the next house.

I would tell my fellow saathis that if they feel downcast. Then they should renew their intention when we are going from door to door our intention should be for our own Islah. We dont look for apparent results, those are within the dominion of ALLAH.

In anycase I cant believe you are arguing that it is okay to misuse Insha'Allah even though a person has no intention of doing something.

I suggest you go back and read the very first post in this thread. It is written by white European woman from Finland, and also reflect on the fact what kind of impression we create to both new converts and non-muslims when we are not hundred percent honest.

Incidentally I read or maybe heard somewhere in a gathering perhaps 30 or so years ago I cant remember which . That in centuries past the main standout characteristic of Muslims in India was their Honesty. A muslim did not lie, cheat and deceive this reputation of the muslims was so highly respected. That if a business dispute arose between a muslim and a hindu other hindus would automatically take the side of the muslim. "He is a muslim and muslims dont lie."

And ALLAH knows best..!

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#15 [Permalink] Posted on 13th January 2023 14:51

akbar703 wrote:

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Me on the other side I'd prefer to get an honest "No" than to get a fake and dishonest "InshaAllah" and then wait around for that person.

What is "Jawla group"? Are you anti-Qur'aan? I just explain how the Qur'aan expects insha-Allah on positive intentions. Why are you still adamant?

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It is absolutely dishonest and deceiving to say "insha-Allah" when there's absolutely no intention to do it. as is saying, "I'll do my best" when there's no intention to do something. Even though technically "not doing it" might be your "best try" so it could be literally and technically true but knowing what the other is understanding deliberately can cause them issues for thinking you have intention to do or try. Tawriya is a different category and has conditions.

mkdon101 wrote:

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It's true it's not common in UK but having lived in UAE, I definitely experienced "inshaAllah" from some government workers when they had no intention to follow up on an issue. Even the way they say it it sounds like "just go please"

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The Abuse of Insha'Allah.

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