Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

I've often thought that there's a "good" inshallah and a "bad" inshallah, and this article puts it nicely:

"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."

For more, please use the link below.

http://www.blueabaya.com/2010/12/abused-inshallah.html

Regards,
John

[americanjoe]

Well, my experience was if "inshallah" was uttered by a student in any way in reference to homework, the prospects of my actually receiving the assignment was very poor...

[hash]

The phrase has another, more emphatic meaning, which is quite common, namely: AT ONCE, or AS YOU COMMAND or OF COURSE or IMMEDIATELY.

A manager calls his secretary into his office: "Come in here and bring your notebook with you !"
Secretary: Inshallah = Right Away! (no negative sense here).

A "sister" phrase to "Inshallah" almost as common is "Mashallah". "As God has ordained". Used often to signify surprise, shock, or most often, ADMIRATION.

Speaker 1 - "That teacher speaks 6 languages" Speaker 2 - "Mashallah" = Wow !

Note: The persistent and widespread belief that Spanish "ojalá" (I hope so) is derived from Arabic "Inshallah" is a fictitious myth and totally without foundation or serious scholarship.

[scot47]

The belief that everything that happens is the will of the Deity is a convenient cop-out. "I failed my exam because it was the will of God !"

[johnslat]

Dear americanjoe,

In my experience, it depended upon the student. Good students would utter it and turn in the homework on time.

Not-so-good students - well, I recall one lazyish students with whom I had this exchange.

"Abduallah, I want that homework tomorrow"

"Inshallah, Mr. John, inshallah."

"Inshallah me no inshallas, Abdullah - in English, we have a saying, 'Allah helps those who help themselves' - tomorrow or 0%. You give me nothing; I give you nothing."

Regards,
John

[grahamb]

I used to ask my students "Is that definitely inshallah or maybe inshallah?"

[Gulezar]