Islamic etiquette - 02 - In sha'Allah

Assalaamu alaikum [peace be to you],

Continuing our series of Islamic etiquette, today we see the expression 'in sha'Allah'.


One of the teachings of Islam is that when we undertake a task, we should start by saying, إن شاء الله “in sha' Allah” —Allah willing.

“Allah willing” or “in sha'Allah” is a phrase of great significance. Islam teaches us that whenever a person is going to embark upon any venture, he should say, “If Allah wills” before he begins. because we know that nothing will occur, even if it seems certain, unless the almighty God allows it to happen.

The God -all praise be to him- instructed us in his final revelation saying:
وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَيْءٍ إِنِّي فَاعِلٌ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا
Nor say of anything, "I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow"-
إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَقُلْ عَسَىٰ أَن يَهْدِيَنِ رَبِّي لِأَقْرَبَ مِنْ هَٰذَا رَشَدًا
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."
^{The Qur'an - translation of 18:23-24}
This is to acknowledge the reality that Allah Alone is the Doer in this world. A person can achieve his ends successfully only when Allah permits it. Allah Alone has the power to make things happen or prevent them from happening, as everything functions according to His Will. Man can only wish for certain happenings, but occurrence rests with the God Alone.

In this way, man acknowledges that he can only make a beginning. So far as the completion of the task is concerned, it lies entirely in God's Hands. The phrase “in sha' Allah” in its essence is a form of prayer. it also strengthens Muslim's belief in Allah's oneness and keeps him far from any sign of polytheism.
Beginning one’s work with “in sha' Allah” is like seeking God's company and when The God, the Lord of the universe, accompanies us on our journey, who can stop us from reaching our destination?"


A QUESTION:

Someone may legitimately ask: "if everything is by God's will, then where is our freedom choice?"
the question of destiny and free will is a common one in Islam. it was discussed and explained by Muslim scholars throughout the ages.

Before he created anything, The God almighty has wrote His plan. With his infinite knowledge, he knew all that was going to happen. so he wrote it all and kept it in what is called the اللوح المحفوظ “Preserved Tablet.” or "the Book of Decrees". Then, humans, like the jinn (known as demons, devils, ghosts...), were created with a free will. We are free to choose between good and bad, between obedience to the God and disobedience. This is one of the main distinctions between us and Allah’s angels, who do not possess this ability (keep in mind that in Islam, Satan is not an Angel, but a Jinn, that's why he disobeyed the God). They are commanded and they obey Allah without fail; they do not ask why or why not. Allah knew what would occur in all places and times even before He wrote anything. Once His plan was written, fully knowing what would occur in His Creation, our destinies were set.

Our free will, though, is not hindered in Allah’s knowing the future. He knows what we will choose and the results of those choices. Just because He knows what we will do, and even all of the ramifications of those choices, this does not change the fact that the choice was ours alone. According to His divine decree He allows some of what we plan to do to be fulfilled while preventing other plans. This is all in His infinite wisdom and for His own divine reasons.

Nothing happens in this life except what Allah allows to occur, good or bad. It is not Allah’s fault if evil is allowed to spread on the earth; the fault is ours alone. He has given us everything we need to live peaceful and prosperous lives, and the guidance of prophets to keep us on the straight path; however, we often refuse to follow His guidance. The results are that we suffer from negative choices or that we benefit from positive ones. besides, the presence of Evil in the world is a test for us in this earthly life...

If you want to learn more about free will, fate and destiny, please read my other article:



I hope this was beneficial.


IN THE DRAWING:
The Arabic sentence "In Sha'Allah' is written in Diwani script.

More about "in sha'Allah":


More from this series:



If I am right, it is from the God. if I am wrong, it is from myself.