In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
To many people, somehow money and things never seems to be enough for them. This is a sign – not of a lack of wealth, but rather of a lack of Divine blessings (barakah) in that wealth. There are things that one can do to increase the barakah of one’s wealth.
Barakah is a term that means an “increase” and “growth”- and also, happiness. It 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.
One of the best ways to bring barakah into your wealth and life is by giving charity. This is not just the obligatory charities (Zakat, zakatul Fitr and the Qurbani for those with sufficient wealth), but also optional charity to good causes.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Charity does not reduce wealth.” [Muslim, Sahih] 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]
Allah has been very generous to us. Thank Allah for all that He has given you with your tongue, your heart, by using His blessings for good purposes, and by obeying and worshiping Him. Giving charity is a part of showing your gratitude to Allah for what He has blessed you with.
Ramadhan is a blessed time to increase your charitable deeds, and know that Allah will increase you. He, The Exalted, has promised:
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)
Don't forget to pay your zakatul fitr and zakat on wealth before Ramadhan ends. Give priority to your poor or needy relatives, poor Muslims scholars or students of knowledge. Consult your local scholars or masjid to determine your payment.
It was reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "...Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever performs an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligation at any other time..."
May Allah purify our intentions and forgive us, accept our charity and good deeds, and increase us in His blessings and shower us with His Mercy. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and He alone grants success.
Wassalaam
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