The Importance Of Saying Insha’Allah
When Allah’s Messenger (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) declared Allah’s Oneness and proclaimed to be the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) and revelation of Divine Message. The disbelievers of Makkah sent some men to Jewish rabbis in al-Medina and said: “Ask them (the rabbis) about Muhammad (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam), and describe him to them, and tell them what he is saying.
They are the people of the first Book, and they have more knowledge of the Prophets than we do.’ So they set out for al-Madina, they asked the Jewish rabbis about the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam). They described him to them and told them some of his teachings.
The rabbis said: ‘Ask him about three things which we will tell you to ask, if he answers them then he is a Prophet who has been sent (by Allah); if he does not, then he is saying things that are not true, in which case how you will deal with him will be up to you. Ask him about some young men in ancient times, what was their story? For there is a strange and wondrous tale. Ask him about a man who traveled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth. What was his story? And ask him about he Ruh (soul or spirit) what is it?
If he tells you about these things, then he is a Prophet, so follow him, but if he does not tell you, then he is a man who is making things up, so deal with him as you see fit.’ So, the men came back to Makkah and said: ‘O people! We have come to you with a decisive solution which will put an end to the problem between you and Muhammad (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam). The Jewish rabbis told us to ask him about some matters,’ and they told them what they were. Then they came to the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) and said: ‘O Muhammad (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) tell us,’ and they asked him about the things they had been told to ask.
The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “I will tell you tomorrow about what you have asked me.” But he (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) did not say, ‘If Allah Wills.’
Allah Messenger (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) never spoke anything except with revelation. So, he waited for the revelation from Allah but fifteen days passed away without any revelation concerning those matter which the disbelievers asked, neither did Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) come to him. The people of Makkah started to doubt him and said: ‘Muhammad (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) promised to tell us the next day and now fifteen days have gone by and he has not told us anything in response to the questions we asked.’
The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) felt sad because of the delay in revelation and was grieved by what the people of Makkah were saying about him.
Then Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) came with the revelation of Soorah al-Kahf, which contained answers to the questions and also the above mentioned verse explaining the correct etiquette when determining to do something in the future.
The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Sulaymaan the son of Dawood (alaihim as-salaam) said, ‘Tonight I will go to one hundred women, everyone of whom will give birth to a male child who will fight in Allah’s Cause.’ On that an angel said to him, ‘Say, If Allah Wills.’ But Sulaymaan did not say it, he forgot to say it. Then he had relations with them but none of them gave birth to any child except one who gave birth to a half child.” The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If Sulaymaan had said ‘Insha-Allah (If Allah Wills),’ Allah would have fulfilled his desire and that saying would have made him more hopeful.” [Bukhari]
This hadith holds many lessons for us:
1. We sometimes depend on our means and strength alone and overlook the Will of Allah. The intention and determination of man has no reality before the Perfect Power of Allah. Recognizing this, Ali (radi Allahu anhu) exclaimed, “I recognized my Lord in the failing of my resolves.”
2. Whenever we intend to do something we should verbally utter “Insha-Allah.” This will prevent us from being disappointed.
3. Whoever studies the Quran will see how passionately Sulaymaan (alaihis salaam) loved to fight in the Path of Allah. He was a Mujahid constantly engaged in Jihad fee Sabeel Allah. It was this love that kept his mind occupied on how to add to the number of warriors in His cause. He had prepared an army of birds, a force of beasts, and troops of human beings. This is what prompted him to want so many warriors to be born to him of one night. Thus, all believers should wish to serve through Jihad.
4. Believers should desire and try to have pious children who will serve the religion of Allah.
5. This hadith mentions a hundred, and in another version seventy, women. These were the wives or bondwomen of Sulaymaan (alaihis salaam). The Shariah of Musa (alaihis salaam) did not limit the number of wives to four as the Shariah of Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) has done. Those people could have innumerable wives. Sulaymaan (alaihis salaam) had bondwomen too since he was a warrior and warriors got them in addition to spoils of war.
6. This narrative shows that Sulaymaan (alaihis salaam) had extraordinary manly power. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) grants His Prophets strength equal to that of a male dweller of Jannah, who will possess seventy times the strength of a strong man of earth.
7. Sulaymaan (alaihis salaam) did not say that he would ‘have intercourse’ but that he would ‘go’ to seventy women. Not to use the exact words is the recommended and decent way. However, if a religious point has to be explained then it is allowed to use the exact words.
8. The birth of an abnormal child is a sign of Allah’s power and ability but it may also be the result of a wrong deed by the parents. So, instead of complaining, they should analyze themselves, renounce wrongdoing, and seek Allah’s forgiveness.
9. Just as the devil makes us forget many things and incites us to evil, the angels remind us of forgotten things and encourage us to do good deeds.
–Ansari