*The meaning of ‘inshallah’, ‘mashallah’ and ‘bidhnillah’*

*The meaning of ‘inshallah’, ‘mashallah’ and ‘bidhnillah’*

By Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi and translated by Imran Naved

They asked: What is the meaning of ‘inshallah’?

I replied: Is there any Muslim who is unaware of the meaning of this word which is so frequently used in our lives?

They said: Its usage is so varied among people that its meaning and significance are obscured to us. We say it all the time without understanding its true meaning. Rarely are we confident that it grants us some benefit when we utter it, or that some harm or corruption befalls us if we are silent or forget to say it. Thus, inform us of its correct meaning and teach us from what your Lord has taught you.

I replied: It is a word of expressing reliance towards our Lord (tawakkul).

They said: Clarify and explain what you mean.

I replied: When we intend something, we ought to employ the means and tools that the Almighty, the All-Knowing, has decreed for us, without neglecting His commands or ignoring His prohibitions. Once we achieve this exalted station, it is essential for us to not just rely upon these preparations but to entrust the attainment of the intended matter and the fulfilment of it to Allah. Therefore, we say: ‘inshallah’, i.e., if Allah decrees it and allows it to occur.

They said: What is the point of employing the means and tools?

I replied: Allah has made the utilisation of means an indicator that the servant truly wishes for something to happen. However, these means by themselves do not achieve any of their wants, they don’t even bring them closer to their object of desire. Rather whatever is sought is in the hand of Allah alone. You will obtain it with His knowledge and Power when he Wills, how He wills and for whom He wills. He is fully capable of carrying out His command and nothing can oppose Him. Hence, it is obligatory for a believing servant of Allah to rely on Him. He says: ‘Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah’ [Q3:159]. Tawakkul is the highest level of iman and is a safeguard for all religious and worldly matters.

They said: We understand that it is obligatory upon us to rely on our Lord and not to trust in our own efforts but reliance is an action of the mind. What role is there for the tongue unless we say ‘inshallah’?

I replied: You have made a mistake in saying that tawakkul is the action of the mind. Rather you should know that complete worship is not reached unless the tongue corroborates what is accepted by the heart. Do you not see that when the servant believes in his Lord, belief (iman) is an action of the mind? But along with that, he is commanded to vocalise the two testifications (shahada) because that is a confirmation and assent [of that internal state]. Vocalising the two testifications is the first stage of islam and tawakkul is the final goal of iman. It is essential to vocalise them, thus perfecting one’s servanthood and expressing humility, submission, impotency and surrender to the power of Allah, His knowledge, and His Will.

They said: Explain this to us with examples.

I replied: For example, you are intending to do Hajj or Umra. Thus, you get ready for it and take the necessary means – you have prepared the money, arranged your transportation, taken care of all your needs during the journey, found a travel group and organised accommodation. Then, despite having taken all these steps and made all these preparations, you do not say: ‘We are doing Hajj or Umra’. No, you shall qualify your words by resigning the matter to the will of Allah.

They said: Once we rely on Allah and we express that with the words ‘inshallah’, is it necessary for us to keep repeating that every time we tell someone of our intent to do Hajj?

I replied: No

They said: There are many people who say ‘inshallah’ every time they inform someone about their intent to do something in the future.