Melbourne, Three days ago, People magazine posted a clip from an interview with actor Anne Hathaway, who is currently on a global press tour. One of the questions concerned Hathaway's feelings about ageing. In her response, she – a non-Muslim – casually threw the word 'inshallah' in mid-sentence.
The reaction was big. The clip quickly went viral, with the incident reported on Al Jazeera, Grazia, and HuffPost, among others.
So what does it mean? Inshallah is an Arabic term that means 'if God wills' or 'God willing'. The term is most commonly associated with Muslims, as the explicit exhortation to use 'inshaallah' appears in the Quran, a revelation Muslims believe was first received by Muhammad in 610 CE.
Muslims regularly use the phrase in daily life as an affirmation that, ultimately, everything is under divine – not human – control.
The term is not exclusive to Muslims, however. Christian Arabs will also regularly use it, as will other people from different communities living in Muslim countries.
The Muslim community's response to Hathaway's use of inshallah has been overwhelmingly positive, even if a small number are cynically viewing it as a publicity stunt targeting Arab and Muslim markets.
It can be confusing to unfamiliar onlookers why some off-hand comments by celebrities can receive praise, and others vitriol.
Meme culture as a mode of belonging
So why has Hathway's use of inshallah landed so well? To answer this, it helps to understand meme culture, as well as the shared experiences of modern, Western Muslims.
When can non-Muslims use such terms?
Put simply, they are fine when used correctly, warmly, and without disrespect.
