Nasruddin was determined to be decisive and efficient. One day he told his wife he would plough his largest field on the far side of the river and be back for a big dinner. She urged him to say, “Insha Allah! If Allah is willing.”

He told her whether Allah was willing or not, that was his plan. The frightened wife looked up to Allah and asked forgiveness.

Nasruddin loaded his wooden plough, hitched up the oxen to the wagon, climbed on his donkey, and set off.

But within the short span of a day the river flooded from a cloudburst and washed his donkey downstream, and one of the oxen broke a leg in the mud, leaving Nasruddin to hitch himself in its place to plough the field.

Having finished only half the field, at the sunset he set out for home exhausted and soaking wet.

The river was still high so he had to wait until long past dark to cross over.

After midnight a very wet but much wiser Nasruddin knocked at his door. Who is there asked his wife.

I think it is me, Nasruddin, he replied, Insha Allah! if Allah is willing!