Inshallah Allah or “God’s Will” has a very deep meaning to Muslims, and is singularly the most common area of misunderstanding between Muslims and the West, as defined by Judeo-Christian philosophy and especially Western democracy. To Muslims, Inshallah Allah has a very broad meaning that includes starvation, death, wars, misunderstandings between family members, jihad and especially relations with erstwhile enemies.

By saying Inshallah Allah it is possible to voice an opinion today, and express the exact opposite tomorrow, believing both views at the time the opinion is stated. Thus, “Allah’s will might change. And besides, it is not up to us but Allah, Who rules the universe.”

When “confronted” with duplicity of voice or intent, the believing Muslim will reply that it is not his responsibility, but God’s, and Inshallah Allah nullifies that contradiction. To Muslims, even “asking questions or confronting” spoken contradictions demonstrates that Westerners don’t understand Islam. “Say what you mean and mean what you say” has no historical precedent in Islam or the Koran. This is part of the gulf that separates the East from the West.