This Is What I Learned When Biden Said Insha’Allah

“Diversity and Inclusion is our top priority”.

This is the mantra of all major organizations and institutions in the world nowadays, yet many people would argue that this is the least of their concerns.

This phrase is often used as a weapon to prove non-discriminatory thought.

Equal inclusion must be emphasized because it is vital if we are to survive as a multicultural society. But, it is interesting to think about where ‘equality’ will lead us to.

As we integrate into a world, fitting in the jigsaw of the multicultural society will we lose our individual identities, and how much of the ‘multi’ in our cultures will be eroded?

With racism and discrimination embedded in us systemically, the notion of ‘diversity and inclusion becomes more of a loose badge that we wear to boast.

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Biden’s Insha’Allah

When Biden, supposedly used the Arabic word “insha’Allah” in a presidential debate, it portrayed that we definitely are a multicultural society at the deepest level. It showed that Isalm as a religion has space and belonging in this society, it showed that a minority has been acknowledged and respected.

His pronunciation may have caused confusion, but later it was said that he was indeed trying to say the Islamic expression of relying on God and being solely dependent on God only.

To challenge his opponent, Biden chose to say “when…insha’Allah”, whilst trying to get Trump to admit how much he paid in taxes.
or maybe not even trying to do that.

Biden knew Trump is reluctant to give a clear answer, hence he decided to use the term to mock the fact that Trump will not be giving a definitive answer.

Across social media, Muslims identified that this was the wrong use of the term. However, a lot of Muslims themselves use the term in the same way.

Insha’Allah or maybe No?

In the Islamic context, this term is made of 3 words. It simply translates to ‘If God Wills’.

Its meaning is not as simple as its translation.
The use of this phrase has been mentioned clearly in the Quran.

And never say about anything: ‘I shall certainly do

this tomorrow’, unless Allah should will it’ -Surah Al Kahf.

The use of this phrase embodies faith in Allah, it is to be used whenever we intend on carrying out any action because that is exactly how significant Allah is in our daily lives.

For example, when I say, I will buy my car tomorrow’, it will be immediately followed by ‘insha’Allah’

Or if I were to say ‘I will be cooking a dinner tonight’ , it will also be followed by ‘insha’Allah’.

It is a reflection of faith and dependence on Allah, which is why we hope to do anything if only Allah allows us to do it because he is the most powerful.

And one thing to consider is that since it from faith, it is not necessary to say it out aloud.

So if I say I will be doing something, and I forget to say ‘insha’Allah’, I will just quickly say it in my head or heart.

The point is, it is not necessary for people to hear but rather it is God who is listening.

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When Muslims say Insha’Allah

Can we really criticize Biden for saying ‘insha’Allah’ to imply ‘no’ for an answer?

Yes..but not entirely.

A lot of Muslims use this phrase colloquially too. Whether it is to decline an invitation, we are hesitant to accept, or something we are told to do which we do not want to, the polite reply has become ‘insha’Allah’.

It has become a way of denying or saying maybe yes or maybe no. It is used as a ticket to escape sticky situations. This sarcastic use of the phrase has lost its religious significance.

It is clearly the wrong use of the term but this is what we have come to. And when Biden used the term, it showed that this is where diversity is in a multicultural society.

Biden used the term in the way he has probably seen or heard Muslims say it.

But this has shown, that in an integrated society our cultures are slowly amalgamating and it is becoming much harder to preserve cultural differences.

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How important is diversity?

Back to the popular mantra, we get to hear everywhere nowadays.

‘Diversity and inclusion’

This term has also been utilized in a similar way as ‘insha’Allah’ has been. It has lost its meaning. In showing representation, we are rarely given the bare and real things that we live amongst. Whether it is in models with eurocentric features or Netflix shows that literally give us disrespect in the name of inclusion. This term has really been stretched.

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How much diversity will there eventually remain in existence?

The differences need to be respected and not diminished. We need to educate ourselves about the different people, cultures, and individuals we live amongst in order to fully respect and uphold those differences. That is where diversity and inclusion are maintained and not just in job opportunities or interviews.

Diversity is important within a multicultural society, but we must remember that we are all individuals, whether multicultural society is in question or not we need to preserve diversity because we are all different individuals. Even within the same religion, culture or family.

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This post was previously published on Medium.

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