Inshallah is a common Arabic expression meaning “God willing”. It is often used in response to someone else’s statement about future plans, as a way of indicating that one cannot predict or control what will happen.
While Inshallah can be used conversationally among friends, it can also be seen as a way of deflecting responsibility. As such, it is not always well-received by non-Arabic speakers. If you find yourself in a situation where someone has used Inshallah in response to something you’ve said, here are a few tips on how to respond.
What Does “Inshallah” Mean?
“Inshallah” is a Arabic word that means “God willing”. It is often used as a response to someone when they say something that may or may not happen. For example, if someone says “I’m going to go to the store”, the person they are talking to might say “inshallah”, meaning that they hope the person goes to the store but it is not certain.
Some people might use “inshallah” as a way of putting off something they don’t want to do. For example, if someone asks you to do something and you don’t really want to do it, you might say “inshallah” as a way of saying that you will do it but you’re not really sure when.
Other people might use “inshallah” as a way of showing that they have faith that something will happen. For example, if someone is going through a tough time, their friends might say “inshallah things will get better”. This shows that they have faith that things will improve even though they don’t know for sure when or how.
How Do I Respond To “Inshallah”?
If you’ve ever been in a conversation with a Muslim friend and they’ve said “inshallah” (God willing) in response to a question, you may have been left wondering how to respond. Here are a few tips on how to respond to “inshallah” in a way that shows respect for your friend’s beliefs.
Thank them for their honesty: Saying “inshallah” shows that your friend is being honest about their plans and their reliance on God. Thank them for their honesty and for sharing their beliefs with you.
Acknowledge their faith: Acknowledging your friend’s faith is a key part of showing respect. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they believe, but it does mean recognizing that their beliefs are important to them.
Ask questions: If you’re curious about your friend’s beliefs, now is the time to ask questions! Asking questions shows that you’re interested in learning more about their religion and culture. Just be sure to avoid any offensive or insensitive questions.
Respect their wishes: If your friend says “inshallah” in response to a request, it’s important to respect their wishes.
