In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Regardless of our age, our occupation, our material position, where we live in this world, everyone experience 24 hours in a day. The advancement of technology has produced appliances, machinery and gadgets we have, the purpose of which is so that man can produce more in short period of time. Despite all these things at our disposal, we always hear people complaining about having no time.
Previously people took hours to prepare a meal, everything was manual. I remember growing up having to manually mill my own rice flour, ground my own spices, etc. Now we have electric/gas stove, microwave, blenders, etc, ready supplies, and we can cook a meal and new recipes in an instant. Where is the saved time gone? Previously people have to go to the rivers or wells to fetch water. I remember growing up having to use manual coal iron to iron starched clothes and uniforms -- that took a long time and hard work. Now with running water, electricity and automatic appliances, it takes no time to clean and dry clothes and do any ironing. Where is the saved time gone? Previously people took days, months, years to get from one place to another. Now within minutes people can get from one city to another with the invention of cars, and within hours from one country to another with planes. We save a lot of time on traveling but where is the saved time gone?
We hear people making six figure income and many with dual income family but complaining about not having enough to make ends meet; they are so unhappy, so stressed out. What has happened?
This is a sign – not of a lack of time or wealth, but rather of a lack of Divine blessings (barakah) in that time or wealth. Barakah has somehow become a lost treasure these days; everyone’s looking for it, but no one seems to find it.
Barakah is a term that means an “increase” and “growth”- and also happiness. Al-Raghib mentions that its source-word denotes the large frontal area of a camel which firmly presses the earth below it when it kneels on the ground by folding its legs. Its derivatives imply establishment or staying firmly upon something, like when a hero stands one’s ground in battle or when a pool in the earth traps water (from flowing away). Barakah then, is the establishment of Divine goodness in something; from whence it exudes cannot be sensed by people, nor can it be outwardly quantified, nor is it limited by anything, but rather, something with barakah in it is called mubaarak, and has an unexplainable increase and benefit in it from Allah. [al-Isfahani, Mufradaat al-Qur’an]
Having more barakah in one’s wealth does not mean the dollar amount increases - rather, that the benefits seen from that limited amount increase, reach further and last longer.
Barakah in anything, especially wealth, which is a part of one’s destined sustenance from Allah Most High, can increase and decrease depending on the good and bad actions one does.
Where can we find barakah?
There are many, many different means we can take to bring barakah into our wealth, and indeed, into every aspect of our lives. The most important thing to remember is that these are only means – worldly causes that we put forth with our human efforts- but the One who gives wealth and bestows blessings in the first place is Allah Most High.
Hence, these actions are not mathematical formulae for automatic increase. One must keep Allah at the forefront of one’s seeking in this world, and make pleasing and reaching Him the ultimate goal, rather than the increase of wealth. Among the things that one can do are:
1. Give thanks to Allah in abundance
Allah Most High says in the Qur’an,
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ ﴿٧[Qur’an, Ibrahim 14:7]
And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' " (7)
Allah is promising the person who thanks Him an increase in goodness and blessings, and Allah never breaks His promises.
Thank Allah with your tongue, your heart, by using His blessings for good purposes, and by obeying and worshiping Him. [al-Alusi, Ruh al-Ma’ani]
2. Be God-conscious and increase in piety; Avoid Sins
Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:[Qur'an, Al-A'raf 7:96]
وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَرَكَـٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَـٰكِن كَذَّبُوا۟ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿٩٦
And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied [the messengers], so We seized them for what they were earning." (96)
... وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًا ﴿٢﴾ وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ...
...And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (2) And will provide for him from where he does not expect...[Qur'an, Al-Talaq 65:2-3]
Sins will take away barakah.
3. Place your full trust in Allah Most High:
Know that Allah is providing for you and sustaining you at each moment. Do not worry constantly and have fear- this is from the Shaytan, who tries to instill fear of poverty, while Allah offers bounties.
ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱلْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِٱلْفَحْشَآءِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦٨[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:268]
Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. (268)
Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:
وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدْرًۭا ﴿٣[Qur'an, Al-Talaq 65:3]
And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. (3)
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “If only you relied on Allah a true reliance, He would provide sustenance for you just as He does the birds: They fly out in the morning empty and return in the afternoon with full stomachs. (Ahmad, An-Nasa’I, Ibn Majah, Al-Hakim and At-Tirmidhi)
4. Establish prayer (al-salah) in your home
Work to establish the obligatory prayers among your family, and encourage extra optional (nafl) prayers as well. [al-Biqa’i, Tafsir]
Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:
وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْـَٔلُكَ رِزْقًا ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ ۗ وَٱلْعَـٰقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ﴿١٣٢[Qur'an, Ta-Ha 20:132]
And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness. (132)
Salah is your lifeline for the final destination in the hereafter, and the daily food for your soul. Be vigilant with your prayers.
5. Give in charity
This includes the obligatory charities (Zakat, Sadaqatul Fitr and the Qurbani for those with sufficient wealth), but also optional charity to good causes.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Charity does not reduce wealth.” [Muslim]
The physical amount outwardly decreases, but the remaining amount attracts barakah so that the actual benefit from it is not less. [al-Nawawi, Sharh Muslim]
The eyes see the bank balance decrease, but Allah will increase the balance. You may not see that balance go higher but Allah enable you to fulfill all your responsibilities.
In a Hadeeth Qudsi, Allah says: “O son of Adam, spend (in charity), and I’ll spend on you.”
Whenever you are broke, or you feel barakah is zapped out of your life and urgently need it to return, the quickest of way of gaining barakah in your life can be through giving charity.
For example, let’s say barakah was removed from your life due to a sin you committed; charity cleanses your sins, adds good deeds and is a source of barakah.
6. Be obedient, dutiful and respectful to your parents
This is a means of increase in one’s lifespan and sustenance. [al-Sha’rani, Lawaqih al-Anwar al-Qudsiyya]
7. Maintain family ties and do good to relatives; Do not sever family ties
It is mentioned that the barakah comes in the act of enjoining family relations only when it is combined with piety and God-fearingness. [Ibn Hibban, Sahih]
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Allah created His creation, and when He had finished it, the womb, got up and caught hold of Allah whereupon Allah said, “What is the matter?’ On that, it said, “I seek refuge with you from those who sever the ties of Kith and kin.” On that Allah said, “Will you be satisfied if I bestow My favors on him who keeps your ties, and withhold My favors from him who severs your ties?” On that it said, “Yes, O my Lord!” Then Allah said, “That is for you.” Abu Hurayrah added: “If you wish, you can recite: ‘Would you then if you were given the authority do mischief in the land and sever your ties of kinship?” (Bukhari, Volume 6. Book 60. Number 354)
8. Have good intentions
If you want something to have barakah attached to it, have good intentions for it. More specifically, make sure that deed is intended for the sake of Allah (Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala). Without intending what we have or do for the Sake of Allah, the “Divine goodness” won’t be found in our deeds.
Purify your intention to earn for Allah’s sake, provide for your family, to not have to borrow and ask from others, and to do works of good for others.
9. Wake up early
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)said: “Allah made the early hours blessed for my Ummah.”(Ahmed)
Wake up for Tahajjud. Try to be productive after Fajr and do not sleep through the early part of the day. Try to work in mornings, as the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) prayed, “Oh Allah, give barakah to my Ummah in their early-morning work.” [Ibn Majah, Sunan]. If you’re able to go to work in those hours, do so, you’ll get much more work done than the whole day put together.
We should always seek to make our life productive. Waking up early is such an important step to being blessed and feeling good throughout your day.
10. Earn a lawful (Halal) and wholesome income
Ensure that your line of work does not contravene the Sacred Law and that your wealth is lawful. This not only includes what work you do, but who you work for and their source of income as well. Ensure that your work is ethical and moral.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “O people, Allah is good and He therefore, accepts only that which is good.” (Scholars say this refers to Halal income and the importance of it).
A scholar also said of the one who eats Haram, that his limbs will disobey Allah whether he likes it or not, and that the one who eats Halal and seeks Halal income, his limbs will also do good and will be given the permission to seek goodness.
This concept of your limbs being ‘blessed’ and enabled to do good is truly a blessing and a barakah we should all seek.
There was a story of an old man who jumped a large distance that the young men were unable to jump. When the young men asked the old man how he did it, he replied: “These are our limbs: we protected them from committing sins when we were young, so Allah preserved them for us when we got old”.
11. Avoid interest in all its forms, as much as possible.
This includes taking it, or paying it out. If you must pay it due to a debt, work as hard as possible to pay it off in a short time then resolve not to enter into it again.
People who deal with interest, they may see their bank balance rising, but Allah destroy that money. How many a rich person have complained about not having enough -- money went to legal expenses, medical expenses, unexpected expenditures. You find a poor man with only a loaf of bread and milk to eat but enjoy his life. The latter has barakah in his life.
12. Work with excellence, loyalty and honesty
Do not take a single penny except that you duly deserve it. Do not squander the time and resources that you employer is paying for. Be loyal and honest at work. Nothing reduces barakah like cheating or deception in a sale, or unethical practices like bribes. [al-Razi, Mafatih al-Ghaib]
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The buyer and the seller have the option of canceling or confirming the bargain unless they separate, and if they spoke the truth and made clear the defects of the goods, then they would be blessed in their bargain, and if they told lies and hid some facts, their bargain would be deprived of Allah’s blessings”. [Bukhari]
13. Read the Qur’an
This is the fountain of Barakah. But we rarely drink from it. Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:
وَهَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ﴿١٥٥[Qur'an, Al-An’am 6:155]
And this [Qur'an] is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy. (155)
It is reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Indeed, the house in which the Qur’an is recited- the goodness [in it] increases...” and in another version, “things are made easier for its family.” [Ibn Kathir, Tafsir]
The reading of Surah al-Waqi’ah is known to prevent poverty in a house.
So read the Qur'an everyday, and observe the blessings and barakah of Allah enter your life. The further we are from this Book of Guidance, the less barakah we will have in our lives.
14. Be generous and give gifts. Don't be miserly.
This means giving people around you things that they love, from the things that you love. Start with your immediate family, and relatives, and neighbors. Become more generous and open-handed, and try to fight the urge to be stingy.
15. Do not lie or say false oaths [Ibn Hajr, Fath al-Bari]
16. Give a little more than what you owe people when selling or paying someone [al-Munawi, Sharh Fayd al Qadeer]
17. Eat together
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “…Gather together to eat your food, and say Allah’s name over it (bismillah) and you will be blessed in it,” [Abu Dawud, Sunan]
“Eat together, all of you, and do not separate individually, because the barakah is in the group.” [Ibn Majah, Sunan]
"Whoever has food enough for two persons, should take a third one, and whoever has food enough for four persons, should take a fifth or a sixth (or said something similar).” [Bukhari]
Anyone who has had the experience of inviting guests to his/her house will know this one. No matter how little you think the food you’re presenting to your guest is, it’s always more than enough. We should not be miserly with our guests. We should follow the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) whom when visited by angels (unknown to him) prepared a large meal for them (he slaughtered a whole sheep).
18. Invite the pious to eat from your food
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) made dua’ for his host that pious people eat from his food, as it attracts barakah. It also promotes good company that changes the atmosphere of the home. [al-Bayhaqi, Sunan al-Kubra]
19. Say Bismillah before doing anything
When you say “Bismillah” before anything you do, you’re invoking the Name of Allah on that activity; not only will that activity be blessed but shaytan cannot take part in it. So always say “Bismillah” before anything you do. It’s easy for us to forget to say “Bismillah”. Sometimes we’re so used to saying it that we cannot remember whether we said it or not. Try to be conscious of saying “Bismillah” and understand what you’re saying before your action is performed.
20. Seek Allah’s forgiveness often in your home and elsewhere through saying “Astaghfirullah”. [al-Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al Imaan]
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “If anyone continually asks forgiveness from Allah, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon.”
21. Be easy-going, of kind nature, and forgiving to others: this includes from your spouse and family, to even those who do you wrong. This should spur you to heal relations with anyone you or your family may have a rift with. [al-Munawi, Fayd al-Qadeer]
22. Do not be wasteful and extravagant, nor overly-attached to worldly things: this includes finishing all of one’s food and living in moderation.
23. Follow the Sunnah of Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) in everything
The most productive man in the history of humanity is the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Therefore, by simply following his lifestyle and the acts of Sunnah we so often hear about, we obtain a great source of Barakah.
Some of these Sunnahs include: eating Suhoor, eating with the right hand from the side of the plate, going out for Eid Salah, licking your fingers after finishing your meal, sleeping on your right hand side, using the siwaak, and many more. Look out for these Sunnahs and follow them, for imitating the life of the most blessed man on earth is surely a source of blessing.
24. Pray Istikhara (prayer for guidance) in all matters
Praying istikhara in all matters and then leaving the outcome to Allah as well as accepting His Decree is a great source of barakah. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) taught us this beautiful du'a which helps us make decisions and not regret the choices we make in the following hadeeth:
On the authority of Jaabir Ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) he said: “The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) would instruct us to pray for guidance in all of our concerns, just as he would teach us a chapter from the Qur’an. He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) would say: ‘If any of you intends to undertake a matter then let him pray two supererogatory units (two rak’ah optional nafil) of prayer and after which he should supplicate:
‘O Allah, I seek Your counsel by Your knowledge and by Your power I seek strength and I ask You from Your immense favor, for verily You are able while I am not and verily You know while I do not and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know this affair (and here he mentions his need) to be good for me in relation to my religion, my life, and end, then decree and facilitate it for me, and bless me with it, and if You know this affair to be ill for me towards my religion, my life, and end, then remove it from me and remove me from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it be and make me satisfied with such.”
One who seeks guidance from his Creator and consults his fellow believers and then remains firm in his resolve does not regret for Allah Almighty has said:
فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ ﴿١٥٩ ...[Qur'an, Ale Imran 3:159]
... So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (159)
25. Always make Du'a (Supplication)
Ask Allah for barakah.
اللهم اغفرلي ئنبي ووسعلي في داري وباركلي في رزقي
Allahumma aghfirli zanbi wa wassi’li fi daari wa baarik li fi rizqi
O Allah, forgive my sins, widen my home and grant barakah in my rizq
When you’re invited to someone’s house, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) advised us to make the following du'a for the host:
“O Allah, bless for them, that which You have provided them, forgive them and have mercy upon them.”
When the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was asked to pray for young Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), the first thing he prayed for was wealth, among others things [Bukhari]. Ask Allah to put the wealth in your hand, and not in your heart.
26. Do lots of salawat (sending blessings upon the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam)
There are numerous benefits and rewards of sending peace and blessings on the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam (salawat). These include Allah's sending blessings on the slave.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said, “He who sends blessings on me once, Allah sends him blessings ten times.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud, & Tirmidhi]
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said, “He who sends blessings on me once Allah sends blessings on him ten times and removes from him ten sins and raises him by ten degrees.” [al-Nasa'i].
Allah Almighty says,
إِنَّ اللَّـهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا ﴿٥٦[Qur'an Al-Ahzab 33:56]
Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace. (56)
There are countless more ways to attract barakah into one’s life and wealth, mentioned in the vast Islamic primary sources as well as the wisdom of the scholars and righteous.
When a Muslim’s finances are tight, this is a test from Allah Most High. It is a mercy in disguise because through something as worldly as wealth, Allah causes us to turn towards Him in earnestness. It teaches us patience and contentment, and results in forgiveness of sins and reliance on Allah.
However, the general rule of thumb to attract blessings is always the same. When we attach our hearts to Allah Most High and submit to Him completely, and make Him our sole goal and purpose and not the blessings, then the barakah will enter our lives from all sides without us having to worry about it.
May Allah grant barakah in our rizq and in the remaining term of our lives. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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