Believe in Barakah

BELIEVE IN BARAKAH

Barakah is a special gift from Allah (SWT) that brings goodness and abundance to our lives in unseen ways. It is a mysterious blessing power that can even soothe our anxious thoughts and lift our spirits in challenging times.

Here are ten things we can do to increase the flow of Barakah in our lives this Dhul Hijjah, based on the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.

1. LEARN THE MEANING OF BARAKAH

Each time we say ‘Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahamatullahi Wa barakatahu‘ when we meet someone, ‘Barikallahu feekum’ when we thank them, ‘Mashallah barikallah‘ to ask Allah (SWT) to protect someone’s good fortune, and ‘Mubarak‘ or ‘Mabrook‘ to wish them congratulations, we are asking for a special blessing from Allah (SWT). This special blessing is called Barakah.

The Arabic word Barakah stems from the root ‘B-r-k’, which means ‘to kneel down’ or ‘descend’, just like a camel that settles in place. So, with each of these meaningful phrases, we are asking for a blessing that descends from Allah (SWT) and stays with us for a long time in the following three ways; as growth and increase, e.g., Barakah on our wealth; as continuity e.g., Barakah on our health; as preservation e.g., Barakah on our good fortune.

If you’ve ever seen a camel kneel, you’ll know that Barakah from Allah (SWT) is not going anywhere anytime soon!

2. PUT OUR TRUST IN ALLAH (SWT)

Allah (SWT) says: “I am to my slave as he thinks of Me, [ie. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him].” (Bukhari)

Allah (SWT) says: “Put your trust in Allah, and enough is Allah as a disposer of affairs.” (Quran 33:3)

Believing in Allah (SWT) and putting our trust in Him go hand in hand. So, if we’re facing a challenging situation and have done all we can to try and solve it, it’s time to turn to Allah (SWT). He alone is the source of Barakah and He alone will provide us with the best outcome.

3. UNLOCK THE POWER OF EARLY MORNINGS

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings [ie. what they do early in the morning].”
(Sunan Ibn Majah)

Getting up early is the secret to productivity for some of the world’s most successful people. Our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) even prayed for Barakah on the activities we complete in the morning. This Dhul Hijjah let us take advantage of Barakah blessings by starting a new routine. We’ll be amazed at what we can achieve when we give ourselves an extra hour in the morning!

4. Give Sadaqah

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Charity does not, in any way, decrease the wealth […].” (Muslim)

It’s difficult to understand how giving away money can actually increase our wealth, but we should take comfort in Allah’s (SWT) promise of Barakah on our charity.

So, this Dhul Hijjah, if you are in a position to make a small Sadaqah donation to help our patients at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, trust that Allah (SWT) will reward you with the Barakah He has promised.

5. SAY ‘BISMILLAH’

Begin your day in the best way possible by reciting ‘Bismillah’. This beautiful Arabic phrase translates to ‘in the name of Allah (SWT)’. There are numerous hadiths that remind us of the importance of saying this phrase before starting a new task. By dedicating a few moments of our day to recite ‘Bismillah’, we can open the door to Allah’s (SWT) support, guidance, and Barakah.

6. MAKE TIME FOR FAMILY

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “He who wishes to have his earnings grow [and be blessed] and his term of life prolonged, he should keep ties with his kin.” (Al-Bukhari)

If we ever needed a reason to prioritise our loved ones, here it is! This is the perfect motivation for us to strive for a more balanced life, one that includes quality time with our family and friends, as well as taking care of our own needs. Not only will doing this bring Barakah to our earnings and health, but it will also give us the chance to create deeper bonds and lasting memories, leading to a richer and more fulfilling life.

7. PRACTICE GRATITUDE

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]”. (Holy Qur’an 14:7)

Practicing gratitude is a great way to boost mental resilience and happiness in positive psychology. Saying ‘Alhamdulillah’ (praise be to God) is a good start, but sincere gratitude is more than just words.

Being truly grateful to Allah (SWT) requires contemplation: actively reflecting on the Barakah we already have in our lives, while creating room for more. And no matter how much we thank our Lord, it’s never enough!

8. CONNECT THROUGH FOOD

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Eat together and do not eat separately, for the blessing is in being together”. (Ibn Majah)

Eating together is more than just nourishing our bodies; it’s a way of increasing Barakah in our food, relationships, and domestic settings.

So, let’s take the time to sit down and connect over a meal. Make sure everyone is fully present, free from distractions such as TV and mobile devices. That way, we can enjoy the blessings of togetherness and the flow of easy conversations.

9. RECITE SALAWAT

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “If anyone invokes blessings on me once, Allah will bless him ten times.” (Abu Dawud)

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah (SWT) encourages us to invoke peace and blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ) as He and the angels do. So, let’s make reciting Salawat part of our daily Dhikr (remembrance).

This simple act will not only add peace and tranquillity to our day, but also return ten blessings for every blessing we give! Even when we don’t have time to sit down, we can easily integrate this practice into our daily tasks.

10. STRIVE FOR HALAL

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Both parties in a business transaction have a right to annul it so long as they have not separated; and if they tell the truth and make everything clear to each other they will be blessed in their transaction, but if they conceal anything and lie, the blessing on their transaction will be eliminated”. (Muslim)

Halal is about more than just making sure we get our meat from the right butcher; it’s about being honest and fair in all our dealings, so that we don’t accidentally infringe on the rights of others.

At work this means acting with honesty and integrity in our transactions. It’s the little things that matter, like being punctual, providing goods and services of quality and fair prices. We should also check our intentions and be willing to accept losses for the sake of Allah (SWT), knowing that He will bless our earnings and wealth with Barakah when we practice Halal.

Likewise, at school, we should always strive to act in a way that is pleasing to Allah (SWT), by abiding by the school’s rules and regulations, turning in our homework on time, and avoiding any behaviour that is not in line with Islamic principles. By keeping our conduct in accordance with Islamic teachings, we can be sure that Allah (SWT) will bless us with Barakah in our growth and learning.

 
The inauguration date for our third and largest hospital in Karachi is set for December. Join our race to the finish line by adding a small Sadaqah Jariyah donation to your Qurbani this year. Find out more.

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