Assalaamu alaykum, Shaykh. I sent this question yesterday, and you sent me a fatwa as answer, but it did not answer the question. I was talking about the use of the word in that verse, not in general, so here it is again. Sorry shaykh, could you please answer? May Allaah reward you. There is a verse that says something like, "In shaa' Allah, you will enter Masjid Al-Haraam with your head shaved." I wonder why Allaah said, "In shaa' Allah," at the beginning. I heard an interpretation say something like that Quraysh (tribe of Makkah) used to mock by saying 'in shaa' Allaah' when the muslims wanted to enter and that Allaah said it there for that reason.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The verse that you referred to reads (what means): {Certainly has Allaah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, in shaa' Allaah (if Allaah wills), in safety, with your heads shaved and (hair) shortened, not fearing (anyone). He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near (at hand).} [Quran 48:27] According to the scholars, 'in shaa' Allaah' here does not indicate doubt. They mentioned some lessons deduced from the usage of the phrase in this context: it may be intended to teach Muslims to say "in shaa' Allaah" all the time. It was also said that "in shaa' Allaah" was used in this context to exclude those who would not enter Al-Masjid Al-Haraam as promised; as some might die or be absent from that event. It was also said that the phrase was uttered by the angel who visited the Prophet in the vision bearing him the glad tidings. Another view suggests that it was uttered by the Prophet when he informed his Companions of the glad tidings. Other interpretations were reported as well.

Al-Baydhaawi commented on the verse in his Tafseer book, saying, "In shaa' Allaah conditions the occurrence of a given event to the will of Allaah to teach the Muslims to do the same; or to tell that some of them will not enter because of death or absence; or it was uttered by the angel who visited the Prophet in the vision; or it was uttered by the Prophet when he was addressing his Companions."

Allaah knows best.