In shaa Allah

The fictional story below is based on the story that is found in Mufti Dr Ismail Musa Menk and Sheikh Dr Karim AbuZaid’s lectures. Links are found below.

There was a young man who had decided to sell away his motorbike. Since it was still in excellent working order, he knew that he should be able to sell it at a good price.

Before going to the market, he had to pass by his neighbour’s house. He was an old retiree who liked to sit, at the front of his house, on his favourite chair, watching the world go by.

The neighbour asked, “Assalaamuálaykum my good young man, my good neighbour. Where are you off to?”

TThe young chap responded, “I’m going to sell my bike today at the market, Uncle. There’s a demand for motorbikes like mine these days. I’ll earn plenty of money. And I’m going to use it to open a little business.”

“Son, don’t forget to say, ‘In shaa Allah”,” the thoughtful neighbour reminded him.

“For what? I’m going now already. Why should I say, In shaa Allah? I have my motorbike right here. I am going to a very busy market with many interested buyers and my motorbike is in brilliant shape! My bike type is also very popular. I am sure to sell it today!” the snobby young man quipped.

His white-bearded neighbour shook his head in disapproval.

With a smirk on his face, off the arrogant lad went to the market to sell his motorbike.

“What a silly old man,” he mocked.

…

Afternoon had come.

The chap stood there, at the market, waiting for hours for possible customers. Nobody seemed interested in his motorbike. Some people just looked at his bike for a few seconds and then walked on. He was getting desperate and disappointed. The day was almost over.

Finally, near the end of closing time, an excited customer looked at his motorbike and examined it for more than a couple of minutes.

“How much are you selling this bike for?” asked the customer.

“This is my chance!” thought the seller silently in his heart.

“$2 500!” he told the potential buyer. Obviously, he gushed with excitement as he said the price.

“Let me test it first, then I will decide,” the man offered.

“Sure!” he quickly passed him his helmet and key, “I’m sure you are not going to be disappointed.”

The potential buyer got on the motorbike and rode away. The young man felt confident that he would not come home empty-handed today.

Half an hour passed. One hour passed. Two hours passed. The customer was no where to be seen!

The young chap waited and waited until the market stalls have all been packed up and all the market-goers have gone home. It was starting to get dark but he decided to wait for a few more hours. He got so tired that he started to sleep on some rocks.

“Cockle-doodle doo!”

He was awakened by the crowing of roosters that lived on a farm nearby. It was already morning!

SubhaanAllah. The lad sat up and looked around. Still no sign of his motorbike.

With tears rolling down his eyes, he finally realised that he had been cheated.

On his way home, he met the nice old neighbour again. He was curious as to what had happened.

“So, my son. How did it go? You’ve got your money?”

With his head down, the heart-broken young man cried as he replied, “In shaa Allah, I went to the market. In shaa Allah, someone tested my motorcycle. In shaa Allah, I waited for a long time. In shaa Allah, my bike didn’t return. In shaa Allah, I walked back home.”

“Hey, hey, hold on, what’s wrong, my son? What happened?” the old man was truly concerned.

“I regret not saying ‘In shaa Allah’. You were right, Uncle.”

“Listen, my boy, it’s not the phrase ‘in shaa Allah’ that determines our success. Only Allah can determine if one succeeds or fail. By saying ‘in shaa Allah’ and believing that Allah will decide it for us, we are proving to Allah something. We are proving to Allah that we are not sure if our plan will work or not. And if it does, it’s only because Allah has willed it to happen. When we say ‘in shaa Allah’, we should, at the same time, also be fully convinced that we cannot make it happen by ourselves. We are leaving it for Allah to decide, we are leaving the result to Allah, we show Allah that we understand that He controls the situation. He can make the thing happen or not happen. It’s up to Him. Not us.”

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Moral of the story

Do you know the meaning of “In Shaa Allah”?

It means “if Allah wills”, or “if Allah allows it to happen”. Or “if Allah permits it, it will occur.”

Allah says in the Quran, in Suratul Kahf, Surah Number 18, Ayah Number 23-24:

Suratul Kahf has a beautiful state ment in which Allah reminds us – Do not say that you are going to do something tomorrow or in the future, whether it is in the near future or afterwards, without saying In shaa Allah. Without saying, “if Allah wills.” Without hanging it to the will of Allah. We have to depend on Allah’s permission for something to happen.

SubhaanAllah.

So let’s look at the story above. Mr Ali had reminded Ashraf to say, “In shaa Allah”. But Ashraf opposed it saying, “For what? I’m going! ” And he did not want to say it and off he went.

SubhaanAllah.

Ashraf thought that he is independent of Allah. He reckoned that he does not depend on Allah for things to happen. He thought that everything should go smoothly because everything was in order. He thought that saying In shaa Allah was just a superstition. He thought that he was the reason why he was successful. He probably did not know what In shaa Allah means.

Don’t be arrogant. You’re successful not because of you.

So, let’s not be like Ashraf, brothers and sisters. Let’s remember to say, “In shaa Allah” after we have planned something for the future. Show Allah that we understand that He is in control. Not us.

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Credits:

• The fictional story above is based on the story that is found in the last 15 min of this lecture “Advice for Muslims by Mufti Ismail Menk” https://youtu.be/5dy2VPEcp-c  [About 1hr 3 min to the end of the lecture]
• Check out this lecture by Sheikh Dr Karim AbuZaid too. “Nothing happens unless Allah wills || Karim AbuZaid” https://youtu.be/l8XRrjcj7bA

Image Credits:

• https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/motorbike-road-design_1059313.htm#page=2&query=motorbike&position=20
• https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/flat-red-sport-bike-concept_9509663.htm
• https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/rooster-singing-background_1138479.htm#page=1&query=rooster&position=31
• https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/senior-man-old-disable-citizens-with-walking-cane-retro-cartoon-set_5084057.htm#page=1&query=old%20man&position=23
• https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/trade-fair-market-illustration_4029122.htm#page=1&query=market&position=17
• https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/blond-businessman-happy-expression_1030480.htm#page=1&query=arrogant&position=4