Inconsistency and abbreviations
INsights 055, Friday 6th September 2024
Inconsistency and abbreviations
INsights 055, Friday 6th September 2024
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I was very much encouraged by the amount of positive feedback I received after last week’s edition of INsights in which I made some observations on our usage of the phrase insha’Allah.
So this week I’ve chosen to consider further examples of common phrases we say comfortably amongst ourselves but often struggle to render naturally with others.
I also couldn’t help myself from making a quick comment on what these phrases really mean to us when we use them, and also the way in which we tend to abbreviate the very words that probably matter the most in our written exchanges.
Idk why we think it’s a good idea to do it but I’ll ttyl about that! 🤓
First a quick recap…
If you’re talking to your cousin Bilal about the fact that you’re going to send him something in the post soon, you might say, “I’m going to get the package to you by next Tuesday at the very latest, insha’Allah.”
Similarly, if you’re talking to your colleague Bella about when you hope to send her a draft proposal for a client so she can check it over, you could say, “I’m going to get the draft to you by next Tuesday at the very latest, God willing.”
There would be no need to panic when saying this to Bella. She can handle it. Can you?
Something you should also realise is that there is no additional merit in saying "insha’Allah" as opposed to "God willing" or "if God wills" even when speaking to Bilal. He speaks English and so do you.
In fact, I’ve started to regard it as superior for us say "God willing" or equivalent when we’re talking amongst ourselves in English, precisely in order to normalise consistent linguistic usage, which in turn would help make it far more natural for us when we talk to others.
It’s become an unnecessary cultural norm to say these things in Arabic to each other even when we're not speaking Arabic, which is partly what makes it more difficult for most of us to convey the same notions in English in different contexts, therefore resulting in our inconsistent practice.
Masha'Allah!
So back to Bilal and Bella.
On another occasion, Bilal calls you to say that he passed his final year university exams with the top mark in his year group. In response, you say, “Masha’Allah Bilal, that’s amazing, well done!”
The next day at work, you’re in a meeting and your team leader takes a moment to recognise some phenomenal work that your colleague Bella has done recently.
Hearing this, you think of your Lord, recognising that she couldn’t have done anything significant without Him willing it to happen. So the sentiment of masha’Allah occurs in your heart, but when you have a chance to say something to Bella, what do you say?
You could say, “Bella, amazing work, congratulations! It's just what God wanted for you.”
If this might feel strange or if you would feel shy, introspect! What exactly is holding you back and what does it say about the nature of your relationship with your Lord? Why was it so easy to say, "masha'Allah" to Bilal but so difficult to say something similar to Bella?
The same goes for alhamdulillah of course. Some of us say this a lot amongst ourselves. But when we have exchanges with those who don’t believe like we do, all of a sudden praising the Lord goes out the window. Why?
Remember none of these phrases have anything in principle to do with proving our sense of belonging to each other. They’re just about naturally referring to the Almighty in different situations in a way that makes sense to us and to others.
Allahu akbar!
Interestingly, Allahu akbar gives us a somewhat contrasting example. It’s not uncommon for believers to shout this phrase loudly and publicly in Arabic when in group protests or marches. In Britain, this has been a common element of marches for Palestine and it also featured in anti-racism demonstrations after the recent riots.
When Robert Jenrick, a Conservative MP and someone who might soon become party leader, recently suggested that anyone who says Allahu akbar publicly should be immediately arrested, our organisations reacted strongly to his suggestion, and rightly so. It was a ridiculous and dangerous proposal.
But at the same time, shouldn't we have an internal conversation amongst ourselves about whether shouting Arabic slogans out loud in an English-speaking society is a sensible idea, especially a phrase which the public sadly now associates with terrorist activity?
If protestors instead collectively proclaimed, "God is great!" it's very likely that others at the march and those watching later on various media outlets would potentially understand and associate with the concept more closely.
It would also make it a lot harder for bigoted people to exploit such matters for their own ends. All of a sudden, we won't come across quite as foreign or inappropriate as they would like to make us seem.
Awareness of our context and adjusting our language accordingly, so that what we stand for is well understood, is not weakness. It is wisdom.
The unfortunate reality though is that most of those who say, "Allahu akbar!" so loudly and confidently in public protests would find it very awkward to say, “God is great!” with the same energy.
We really need to examine ourselves to understand why we suffer from these inconsistencies. The sooner we acknowledge that we do in fact have a lot of creases that need ironing out, for our own sake and for the sake of others, the better.
What do you really mean?
Part of our problem is disconnecting from the meaning of what we're saying. Just as we do this in our prayers, we do the same when we say common Arabic phrases. I won't comment at length on this point, but will simply give you three examples for your own reflection:
1️⃣ When you say or write, Salam or Assalamu-alaikum, do you really intend that the person you’re talking to should be in peace and safety? Or are you really just saying, “Hello!”
2️⃣ When you say or write, Jazak Allahu Khairan, do you really intend for your Lord to reward the person with goodness? Or are you really just saying, “Thanks!”
3️⃣ When you say or write, SubhanAllah, do you really intend a declaration of God’s perfection and exalted status? Or are you really just saying, “Wow!” or “Oh no!” depending on the situation to which you are responding?
Abbreviations don't help
Once upon a time, I might have messaged a friend as follows:
Aa wr wb, it was great seeing you today. Catch up next week iA. Jzk. Ws.
But eventually I stopped abbreviating everything in this way. I felt that by doing so, I was only hollowing out the most meaningful elements of my message.
More recently, I’ve gone a step further in trying not to say or write these phrases unless I actually intend or feel them deeply. Habitual and needless over usage can easily compromise substance. I also try to express these things in English regardless of who I'm talking to, partly to help others reflect on their own practice.
There are plenty of other examples of these abbreviations but two that really get to me are as follows: "swt" for subhanahu wa ta’ala and "saws" or similar for sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
It’s hard to see how habitually abbreviating these phrases can possibly aid us in really exalting our Lord and acknowledging His highness, or really intending divine blessings and peace to be sent to His final messenger.
Instead, let's be honest, these things have just become tick-box additions, becoming more and more devoid of their wonderful substance.
By way of a final reflection, if it is the case that you would find it awkward to say “God, exalted and most high” or “the Prophet, God bless him and grant him peace,” in a public setting, you have to wonder how much you really mean them when you say them in Arabic after mentioning God or His messenger, let alone when you abbreviate them!
Okay, so what do I do now?
The practical implications of all this for you should be clear enough. It’s oddly challenging I know, but it's actually all just common sense!
Simply pay attention and check your own language for consistency, clarity and contextual suitability.
Experiment, learn, adjust.
Don't underestimate the importance or potential impact of this process for a moment.
Fulfilling the vision of societies built on a foundation of monotheism depends on the highly effective and appropriate use of language.
So this is all just part of the plan...
Until next time.
May you be in peace, divine mercy and blessings.
Iqbal
~~~
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Have a blessed week. I'll send you the next edition next Friday, God willing.
