Insha'Allah

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Insha'Allah (ان شاء الله ) is an Arabic term evoked by Muslims to indicate hope for an aforementioned event to occur in the future. The phrase translates into English as "God willing" or "If it is God's will", though the Arabic term bears a stronger ^{[[Citing sources citation needed]]} religious connotation than the English phrase.

The term is also related to another Arabic term, Masha'Allah (ما شاء الله), which means "God has willed it".

This word is often used to indicate a desire to do something that may not actually occur. This also provides wiggle room for someone who may feel obligated to agree to something, but prefer not to do it. In Judaism, B'ezrat Hashem (בעזרת השם) and Im Irtze Hashem (אם ירצה השם) are used for the same reason.

Usage of Insha'Allah derives from Islamic scripture, Surat Al Kahf (18):23 : "And never say of anything, 'I shall do such and such thing tomorrow. Except (with the saying): 'If Allah wills!' And remember your lord when you forget..."

Historical reference

Muslim scholar Ibn Abbas stated that it is in fact obligatory for a Muslim to say Insha'Allah when referring to something he or she intends to do in the future. If carelessness leads to the omission of the phrase, it may be said at a later time upon the realization of the omission.

The Spanish word ojalá and the Portuguese word oxalá (I hope, I wish) are derived from law šá lláh, a similar phrase meaning "God willing." They are an example of the many words borrowed from Arabic due to the Muslim possession of southern Spain from the eighth to fifteenth centuries. (See also: Arabic influence on the Spanish language).

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