Insha’Allah.
The first Arabic term that got stuck in my head on my first year of teaching in Oman. Insha’Allah. It connotes positive shades of meaning. It always resounds optimism and faith whenever I hear it from our administrators, fellow educators and students.
Insha’Allah or Inshallah is a common Arabic term that—as Uncle Google reveals—means ‘God willing’ or ‘if Allah wills.’
Insha’Allah. It resonates in my ear. Insha’Allah. It reverberates in my heart. Insha’Allah. It eloquently expresses humility and trust to the Holy One.
Insha’Allah. A beautiful term fondly affixed by my Omani students to their statements. “See you next meeting. Insha’Allah.” “I’ll submit my project on the 30th of June. Insha’Allah.” “Insha’Allah, I’ll graduate next year, Mister.” “I’ll do my project this weekend. Insha’Allah.” “Mister, I’m going to visit you in your office on Thursday. Insha’Allah.” And the litany goes on and on as I readily respond: Insha’Allah.
Oh, how I love hearing it. It reminds me of reverence to the Almighty One.
“Insha’Allah, we will present our paper in TESOL Arabia next year.” A fellow educator once articulated these words while we were discussing the possibility of presenting our paper in an organization for teachers of English as a second language. “Insha’Allah.” I replied with a smile.
Insha’Allah. The word expresses hope and plea for something good. “Insha’Allah, we will reach Muscat at 6:00…,” an Omani bus driver uttered calmly, as if reciting a prayer. It is trusting that God’s will is for the best. Insha’Allah. It is accepting the reality that a great One, an omnipotent One, is in control. Hence, it must be assimilated by expatriates like me, regardless of religious orientation. Insha’Allah.
Insha’Allah. It has become part of my speech repertoire. “Insha’Allah, you’ll find the final examination easy as long as you review very well.” “We’ll have your oral presentation next week. Insha’Allah.” “I am going to email you my Powerpoint presentation tonight. Insha’Allah.” And the list of my utterances affixed with this euphonious, wonderful word goes on and on.
Insha’Allah. It resonates in the air. Insha’Allah. It reverberates in every milieu. What makes it resound in my mind is the gentle production of the word…an insinuation of reverence to the Almighty. Insha’Allah. The utterance conveys sheer faith and respect to Allah (the Almighty Father) by the person who speaks it.
Insha’Allah. The Arabic term every expatriate must remember as long as they work and live in Oman. Insha’Allah. The magical word they must frequently utter with humility, faith, hope and respect. Insha’Allah.
June 22, 2014 (Edited: 4/7/14 11:45 a.m.)
9:55 pm
Shinas, Sultanate of Oman