I always referred to this as the universal disclaimer. I also learned to be flexible and accept this reality. My other favorite saying is mashi or mah-she and the accompanying emoji 🤌. Having just finsihed opening my first HSBC account in Egypt which took 5 months and 4 visits to the bank to sing paperwork it became clear that no one new what the requirements really were. It was a process of discovery and God finally willed that I get an account.
What wonderful synchronicity! I have been writing about surrendering to the chaos of uncertainty all morning. I somehow had forgotten about Inshallah. I Niger I used to insist "pas de Inshallah" when making plans, despite knowing the futility of my command.
I actually didn't know about the Quran requirement. I found myself hitting the wall of Insha'allah a lot when I worked in the UAE. "Yes I'll get this paperwork for you to do that thing you're required to do tomorrow, Insha'allah." Sometimes it happened but mostly it didn't! One time I got so frustrated I said, "No, not Insha'allah, Insha'-YOU!" YOU'RE responsible for the paperwork! If YOU don't do it, I can't do my responsibilities, and then what am I even here for??
But on the other hand, the Western cult of personal responsibility often has us discarding and victim-blaming people who could use a supporting hand, from God or anybody. One of the things I realize AFTER leaving the Middle East is how often the Emiratis' confusion came from wondering why I cared so much if the thing didn't get done -- after all, I was getting paid and doing my job anyway. Why sweat if Allah chose I not be productive for another day?
In the end the West could use more Insha'allah, and the Arab World can use a little bit more "Yes I will do that."
Great article Sam, Inshallah has been a word that I grew up with as my parents always used that word when they are talking with their friends or when it comes to an upcoming test I have. For me, I found I have used this word a lot as well whether if I'm hoping tomorrow is a better day or that my life will be less of a mess than it is right now.
Thanks for this fascinating insight to other ways of interacting with the world. I feel like that's been a large part of our nomadic journey the past six years. I certainly know I've lost many of my American ways of seeing and being with the world.
Definitely, Insha'allah, Or How I Learned to Love Uncertainty
I always referred to this as the universal disclaimer. I also learned to be flexible and accept this reality. My other favorite saying is mashi or mah-she and the accompanying emoji 🤌. Having just finsihed opening my first HSBC account in Egypt which took 5 months and 4 visits to the bank to sing paperwork it became clear that no one new what the requirements really were. It was a process of discovery and God finally willed that I get an account.
I want t-shirts that say “Surrender to the Chaos”, Sam! Great piece, as always.
What wonderful synchronicity! I have been writing about surrendering to the chaos of uncertainty all morning. I somehow had forgotten about Inshallah. I Niger I used to insist "pas de Inshallah" when making plans, despite knowing the futility of my command.
I actually didn't know about the Quran requirement. I found myself hitting the wall of Insha'allah a lot when I worked in the UAE. "Yes I'll get this paperwork for you to do that thing you're required to do tomorrow, Insha'allah." Sometimes it happened but mostly it didn't! One time I got so frustrated I said, "No, not Insha'allah, Insha'-YOU!" YOU'RE responsible for the paperwork! If YOU don't do it, I can't do my responsibilities, and then what am I even here for??
But on the other hand, the Western cult of personal responsibility often has us discarding and victim-blaming people who could use a supporting hand, from God or anybody. One of the things I realize AFTER leaving the Middle East is how often the Emiratis' confusion came from wondering why I cared so much if the thing didn't get done -- after all, I was getting paid and doing my job anyway. Why sweat if Allah chose I not be productive for another day?
In the end the West could use more Insha'allah, and the Arab World can use a little bit more "Yes I will do that."
Great article Sam, Inshallah has been a word that I grew up with as my parents always used that word when they are talking with their friends or when it comes to an upcoming test I have. For me, I found I have used this word a lot as well whether if I'm hoping tomorrow is a better day or that my life will be less of a mess than it is right now.
This was so lovely, Sam. I learned so much!
Thanks for this fascinating insight to other ways of interacting with the world. I feel like that's been a large part of our nomadic journey the past six years. I certainly know I've lost many of my American ways of seeing and being with the world.