Clarifying the Difference Between “إن شاء الله” and “إنشاء الله”
Question:
What is the difference between the phrases “إن شاء الله” and “إنشاء الله” in Arabic?
Answer by:
Shaykh Ḥāfiẓ Khidr Ḥayāt (ḥafiẓahullāh)
1. Correct Phrase: “إن شاء الله”
- Meaning: “If Allah wills” or “God willing.”
- This phrase connects future actions to the will and decree of Allah.
- Breakdown:
- إن = if
- شاء = wills (desired)
- الله = Allah
- This form is used frequently in the Qur’an, Sunnah, and in Muslim culture to express reliance on Allah’s will.
2. Incorrect Phrase: “إنشاء الله”
- Meaning: “Creating Allah” or “Allah’s creation”
- "إنشاء" in Arabic means creation, construction, or bringing something into existence.
- Writing “إنشاء الله” mistakenly conveys a blasphemous meaning:
- Either as “creating Allah” — which is kufr (disbelief),
- Or “Allah’s act of creating” — which doesn’t fit contextually when expressing hope for a future action.
3. The Issue of Intention:
- Some people claim they intend the correct meaning even if they write “إنشاء الله”.
- Intention is respected, but when writing, especially in formal or public contexts, accuracy is essential.
- The mistake may lead to serious misinterpretation, especially for Arabic readers.
Summary:
| Phrase | Meaning | Ruling |
|---|---|---|
| إن شاء الله | If Allah wills | Correct and Sharʿī |
| إنشاء الله | Creating Allah (misplaced) | Incorrect, to be avoided |
Final Advice:Always write “إن شاء الله” with correct spelling and spacing to preserve the intended meaning and avoid unintended blasphemy.
