What does inshallah mean? Anne Hathaway’s viral moment explained
Anne Hathaway’s ‘inshallah’ moment has gone viral — and sparks a wave of curiosity about the Islamic phrase
A clip of Anne Hathaway promoting The Devil Wears Prada 2 is going viral after the actor used the term “inshallah” while talking about her approach to ageing.
During a recent interview with US-based magazine People, Hathaway, 43, was asked how she embraces ageing. Hathaway said she had learned not to “get so swept up in things anymore”.
“You have to be more serious about taking care of yourself, but other than that you’re still you and life is still life,” she said.
She added: “And now I just really value the chill. I just feel like you can either fear ageing or you can fear dying young. I just really want to hopefully live and enjoy life. I want to have a long healthy life, inshallah. So I feel like by default, I can’t fear ageing.”
Hathaway’s casual use of the Arabic phrase, commonly used by Muslims, quickly went viral across social media.
On TikTok, the clip has amassed four million views. “Mashallah sister Anne,” one user commented. Another wrote: “Anne Halalaway”. A third added: “Inshallah my princess of Genovia!”
But what exactly does inshallah mean and why do Muslims use it?
What does inshallah mean?
Inshallah is an Arabic phrase that means “if God wills it” or “God willing”. The phrase is significant to Muslims and also appears in the Qur’an.
Why Muslims use it
Inshallah is commonly used by Muslims across the world in everyday speech when talking about future plans or intended actions. In an Islamic context, the phrase signifies the belief that although we may make plans of our own, nothing can happen without God’s will or permission. For Muslims, the phrase is a reminder of having faith and humility in God, and also a recognition of God’s power.
Can non-Muslims say it?
Yes. Although the phrase holds religious significance for Muslims, it is widely used by non-Muslims across Middle Eastern cultures. It is also common to hear “inshallah” as part of a shared language between friends in multicultural communities.
Why it’s gone mainstream
Hathaway is not the first celebrity figure to use the phrase. Boxer Anthony Joshua has been known to use the phrases inshallah and bismillah. Bismillah is the Arabic phrase for in the name of Allah, or, in the name of God. Elsewhere in sport, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has also been filmed using the phrase inshallah while speaking about his football career. Ronaldo’s vocabulary has likely been influenced by his move to Saudi Arabia since joining the Riyadh-based football club Al Nassr in 2022.
Why the reaction matters
Most notable about Hathaway’s use of the term inshallah is how naturally it seemed to fall into the conversation, marking just how widespread and common many Arabic phrases have become. The clip has received an overwhelmingly positive response, with one viewer commenting that “inshallah is for everyone”.
