Melbourne, three days ago, People magazine released excerpts from an interview with actress Anne Hathaway, who is currently on a global media tour. One of the questions involved Hathaway’s feelings about aging. In her response, she – a non-Muslim – casually added the word “inshallah” in the middle of the sentence.
The response was huge. The video quickly went viral, with outlets including Al Jazeera, Grazia and The Huffington Post reporting on the incident. Why does this moment resonate with Muslims and Arabs around the world?
So what does this mean?
Inshallah is an Arabic term meaning “if God wills” or “God willing”.
The word is most commonly associated with Muslims because the use of “inshaallah” is explicitly counseled in the Quran, a revelation that Muslims believe Muhammad first received in 610 AD.
Chapter 18 verses 23-24 instructs people not to say “I will do that in the future” without adding “inshaallah” – if God wills it. Muslims often use this phrase in their daily lives to affirm that everything is ultimately under divine and not human control.
However, this term is not unique to Muslims. It is also commonly used by Arab Christians, as well as by other people from different communities living in Muslim countries.
“Allah” and pop culture
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While the expression has a long history and symbolizes human submission to the divine will, its less lofty colloquial uses are rarely seen online.
Some Westerners who have moved to Muslim-majority countries say they are frustrated that “inshallah” is used as a euphemism for “no” when a person wants to avoid giving a firm negative answer.
Likewise, Muslim teenagers have made numerous posts on social media complaining about their parents hiding behind “Allah” when they really want to say “no.” In this case, it’s more of a mild disappointment wrapped in divine decree.
In recent years, we have seen some noteworthy uses of the term by non-Muslims living in the West. For example, Drake used it in his 2018 song “Diplomatic Immunity.”
In 2020, Joe Biden invoked Allah during the presidential debate with Donald Trump when Trump was asked about his tax returns. Biden’s sarcastic tone suggested he didn’t mean it literally.
Reaction from the Muslim community to Hathaway’s use of inshallah has been overwhelmingly positive, although a minority cynically viewed it as a publicity stunt aimed at Arab and Muslim markets.
But most users loved it, calling her “Anne Halal-away,” “Sister Anne-shallah Hathaway,” and “inshaAllah my Genovian princess!!!”
Unfamiliar onlookers may be confused as to why some off-the-cuff comments by celebrities are praised while others are criticized.
Meme culture as a way of belonging
So why is Hathway’s use of inshallah so successful? Answering this question requires an understanding of memetic culture and the shared experiences of modern Western Muslims.
For example, this highly meme-able photo was posted on a bulletin board promoting a “halal family movie night” for Finding Nemo.
At first glance, this photo is unremarkable.
But it has the key ingredients to break through the limitations of its target audience and appeal to broad swaths of the internet, including non-Muslims.
Namely, the adorable amateur clipart design, the wholesome idea of a “halal movie night,” and the sincere and now iconic slogan “Allah, they found Him.”
“Allah, they have found Him” has become a new meme, with the phrase cementing and catering to countless online users over the years.
Hathaway’s “inshallah” also comes amid a highly active online environment.
Last week, the official Sesame Street social media account posted about Elmo enthusiastically learning Arabic phrases from actor Rami Youssef. Elmo learned “habibi” and “asalaamu ‘alaykum,” much to the delight of many Muslims and Arabs.
These terms are important and well-loved to many Arabs and Muslims. Although only a minority of the world’s Muslims are Arab, Arabic, the language of the Quran, is the universal language that binds Muslims together through ritual practices.
When can non-Muslims use such terms?
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Earlier this month, Trump issued an expletive-laden threat to the Iranian government that ended with “Praise be to God.” Reactions to Trump’s posts have been overwhelmingly negative.
The responses to these different uses of Arab and Muslim expressions provide clarification for anyone wondering if or when non-Muslims and non-Arabs can use these terms. In short, they are great as long as they are used correctly, enthusiastically and with respect.
Instead, Trump’s use was clearly intended to provoke and ridicule. He took a deeply religious phrase often used by Muslims and turned it into a sarcastic insult tied to the threat of violence.
For Muslims and Arabs, whose religion and culture have been denigrated, pathologized and scorned by the West for centuries, Trump’s exploitation is indefensible. It is this history that makes these communities particularly happy when their expressions are acknowledged politely and affectionately.
No one likes having their important expressions or practices misused or ridiculed—but most people do like to be affirmed. Hathaway is right. This is more content, Allah. SKS
SKS
This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.
