Al-Barakah (The Blessings)

Al-Barakah: Its meaning, how to attain it and its preventers:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

All praise be to Allaah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allaah and his family and companions and those who adhere to his Sunnah and who follow his guidance till the day of Judgment.

Fear Allaah – O servants of Allaah – as He تعالى should be feared. Verily, the fear of Allaah is the light of the eyes and which gives life to the (dead) hearts and with it the consciences are revived. 

Brothers and sisters in Imaan! The people seek the life of this world through various means. And everything that is not done for Allaah’s sake is deprived of all blessing. Our Lord alone is the One who blesses, and every blessing is from Him alone. Allaah جل وعلا, by His mercy gives goodness; and out of His bounty increases the blessings manifold. The virtue is not (measured by) having more business or a lot of provision; nor is the virtue in life to be counted by the number of months and days (that a person lived). Rather the provision and the age are measured according to the blessing in it.

Al-Barakah (blessing) means: progress, growth, development, abundant good, beneficial.

Al-Tabreek means: making du`aa for Barakah.

Some of the ways it is said: Baarakhu-llaah lak (Allaah bless you); Baarakhu-llaah (O Allaah bless him); Baarak-Allaahu feeh (O Allaah bless it); Baarak-Allaahu `alaih (O Allaah send blessing upon him); Baarak-Allaahu lahu (O Allaah bless it for him).

Blessing - whatever it is in (for example wealth), even if it (the wealth) is little – Allaah’s blessing in it will make it sufficient and the more the blessings the more beneficial it gets. Similarly, the opposite is also true – example: if the wealth is deprived of the blessing then even the large amount of wealth will be of little use. And there is no one except that he is in a need of the blessings of Allaah; even the Prophet and Messengers عليهم الصلاة والسلام used to ask their Creator for it. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

“When the Prophet Ayyoob was taking a bath naked, golden locusts began to fall on him. Ayyoob started collecting them in his clothes. His Lord addressed him: {O Ayyoob! Haven't I given you enough so that you are not in need of them.}  Ayyoob replied: ‘Yes! By Your Honor! But I cannot dispense with Your Blessings.’” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (277)]

The Messengers and the preachers (callers towards Islaam) are blessed because of their righteous deeds and their call towards goodness and guidance. Allaah informed us that Prophet `Eesaa عليه السلام said to his people:

} وَجَعَلَنِى مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَانِى بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا {  [مريم:31]

{And He (Allaah) has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salaah (prayer) and Zakaah (obligatory charity), as long as I live} [Surah Maryam (19): 31]

And Nooh عليه السلام supplicated to his Lord for a blessed landing place:

} وَقُل رَّبّ أَنزِلْنِى مُنـزَلاً مُّبَارَكًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْمُنـزِلِينَ {  [المؤمنون:29]

{And say: "My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing place, for You are the Best of those who bring to land."} [Surah al-Mu’minoon (23): 29]

And Allaah blessed Ibraaheem عليه السلام and his family:

}وَبَشَّرْنَـٰهُ بِإِسْحَـٰقَ نَبِيًّا مّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ * وَبَـٰرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَىٰ إِسْحَـٰقَ{ [الصافات:112، 113]

{And We gave him the glad tidings of Ishaaq – a Prophet from the righteous. And We blessed him and Ishaaq} [Surah al-Saaffaat (37): 112-113]

And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to supplicate to Allaah to bestow blessings upon whatever He تعالى has given him: 

وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ

“and bless for me that which You have bestowed”

[Part of the Du`aa al-Qunoot as reported in Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan al-Tirmidhee and al-Nasaa’ee and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

The greetings of the Muslims among themselves when they meet each other, is the request (from Allaah) for Peace, Mercy and Blessings.

And the Qur’aan is filled with goodness, the Book – blessed and decisive.  Allaah تعالى revealed it as a mercy, cure, exposition of everything and guidance. Allaah تعالى said:

} وَهَـٰذَا ذِكْرٌ مُّبَارَكٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ {  [الأنبياء:50]

{And this is a blessed Reminder (the Qur’aan) which We have sent down} [Surah al-Anbiyaa’ (21): 50]

} وَهَـٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ{  [الانعام:155]

{And this is a blessed Book (the Qur’aan) which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allaah (i.e. do not disobey His Orders), that you may receive mercy (i.e. saved from the torment of Hell)} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 155]

Surah al-Baqarah is a blessed Surah, and it has been commanded to learn it. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: 

تعلَّموا سورةَ البقرةِ، فإنّ أخذَها برَكَة، وتركَها حَسرة، ولا تستطيعُها البطَلَة

“Learn Surah al-Baqarah, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.” [Musnad of Imaam Ahmad (22950, 23049) and Saheeh Muslim (1757) with the wordings: “Recite” instead of “learn”]

And the increase in provision and the blessing in age is in maintaining good kinship, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: 

مَن أحبَّ أن يُبسَط له في رِزقه ويُنسَأ له في أثرِه فليصِل رحمه

“Whoever is pleased that he be granted more wealth and that his lease of life be prolonged, then he should keep good relations with his kin.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5985, 5986) and Saheeh Muslim (2557)]

Being truthful while buying and selling and in (business) dealings is a means of bringing blessings in the profit (earned thereof) and succeeded with goodness upon goodness. Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: 

البَيِّعَانِ بِالخِيَارِ مَا لَمْ يَتَفَرَّقَا، فَإِنْ صَدَقَا وَبَيَّنَا بُورِكَ لَهُمَا فِي بَيْعِهِمَا، وَإِنْ كَتَمَا وَكَذَبَا مُحِقَتْ بَرَكَةُ بَيْعِهِمَا

“The seller and the buyer have the right to keep or return goods as long as they have not parted or till they part; and if both the parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities (of the goods), then they would be blessed in their transaction, and if they told lies or hid something, then the blessings of their transaction would be lost.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2079, 2082, 2110, 2114) and Saheeh Muslim (2833)]

The keenness of Islaam in protecting the family can be understood with the fact that the du`aa is made for the blessings in and around the marriage at the very beginning itself when the couples are first married.

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم congratulated a man on his marriage, he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: 

بارَك الله لك، وبارك عليك، وجمَع بينكما في خير

“Allaah bless you and send blessings upon you, and combine both of you in good (works).” [Sunan Abu Dawood (2130) and Sunan Tirmidhee (1091) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

The blessed wives are those who are content with little provision; and the blissful marriage is that which is the least expensive one. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

إن من يمن المرأة تيسير خطبتها وتيسير صداقها، وتيسير رحمها

“Blessed is a woman whose engagement and dowry are easy and who begets more children”. [Musnad Ahmad (24478, 24607), al-Haakim in his Mustadrak (2739) and grade as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Irwaa (6/350)]

Moreover, the blessed woman is the one who is obedient to her Lord and who fulfils her husband’s rights as long as it is not something sinful.

The blessed child is the one who is raised upon the obedience of his Lord and upon the Sunnah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and who protects himself from sins and disobedience.

And when the caretaker of the house (the husband) enters the house he is commanded to greet his family so that Allaah تعالى blesses them:

Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه reported: the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said to me:

يا بنيّ، إذا دخلتَ على أهلِك فسلّم، تكُن بركةً عليكَ وعلى أهلِ بيتك

“Dear son, when you enter your house, say As- Salamu 'Alaikum to your family, for it will be a blessing both to you and to your family.” [Sunan Tirmidhee (2698) and graded as “Dha`ef” in Dha`eef al Tirmidhee by Shaikh al-Albaanee, but (upon rechecking) he graded it “Hasan li ghairihee”(authentic due to supporting chain) Saheeh al-Targheeb (1608) and “Hasan Saheeh” in al-Kalim al-Tayyib (63)]

There is another narration which supports this Hadeeth:

Jabir رضي الله عنه said: “When you come in to your family, greet them with a greeting from Allaah which is blessed and good.” [Adab al-Mufrad (1095) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee but it is “Maqoof” (i.e. its chain stops at the companion only)]

And the blessed man is he who benefits others wherever he goes. Whenever a person tries to come closer to his Lord (by performing righteous deeds) he is blessed in his time and in his actions, so that he is able to perform a lot of good deeds in little time. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه visited the sick, followed the Janaazah (funeral), fed the poor and fasted - all in the same day - as has been mentioned in the Hadeeth of Saheeh Muslim (2242, 5880).

The best companionship is that of the righteous, and the best gathering is where people gather to remember Allaah – which the angels attend and the attendees of it are forgiven. “One of the angels would say: ‘O our Lord! There was so-and-so amongst them, and he was not one of them, but he had just come for some need.’ Allaah would say: ‘These are those people whose companions are in no way unfortunate.’” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6408) and Saheeh Muslim (6505)] So this is the blessing of such gatherings where people benefit themselves and their companions.

And the blessed wealth is that which is used in righteousness and which benefits others over and over again and which is spend in righteousness and charity, intending with it Allaah’s pleasure. Whoever earns a profit, even if it is little, but with honest dealings, he will be blessed in his wealth and children:

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

وَإِنَّ هَذَا المَالَ حُلْوَةٌ، مَنْ أَخَذَهُ بِحَقِّهِ، وَوَضَعَهُ فِي حَقِّهِ، فَنِعْمَ المَعُونَةُ هُوَ، وَمَنْ أَخَذَهُ بِغَيْرِ حَقِّهِ كَانَ كَالَّذِي يَأْكُلُ وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ

“This wealth is green and sweet (i.e. as tempting as fruits), and whoever takes it without greed then he is blessed in it, and whoever takes it with greediness, he is not blessed in it and he is like one who eats and never gets satisfied.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1472, 6427, 6441) and Saheeh Muslim (1035, 1052)]

He صلى الله عليه وسلم also said:

وَإِنَّ هَذَا المَالَ خَضِرَةٌ حُلْوَةٌ، فَنِعْمَ صَاحِبُ المُسْلِمِ مَا أَعْطَى مِنْهُ المِسْكِينَ وَاليَتِيمَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ - أَوْ كَمَا قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - وَإِنَّهُ مَنْ يَأْخُذُهُ بِغَيْرِ حَقِّهِ، كَالَّذِي يَأْكُلُ وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ، وَيَكُونُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ

“No doubt this wealth is sweet and green. Blessed is the wealth of a Muslim from which he gives to the poor, the orphans and to needy travelers. (Or the Prophet said something similar to it.) No doubt, whoever takes it illegally will be like the one who eats but is never satisfied, and his wealth will be a witness against him on the Day of Resurrection.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1465, 2842)]

Happiness in this world and its beauty is not attained except through Halaal (lawful) earnings. The wealth only increases when it is spent in charity and righteousness. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

ما نقصَت صدقةٌ مِن مال

“Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth” [Saheeh Muslim (6264)]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also said: “Allaah (تعالى) says:

أَنْفِقْ أُنْفِقْ عَلَيْكَ

{Spend (O son of Aadam), and I shall spend on you.}” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4684)]

Through blessings can a man find food to eat in the days and in the nights. The blessed food is what which he eats of from his own earning and mentions Allaah’s name over it. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم commanded to lick the fingers and the dish upon completing the meal to attain the blessing by saying:

إنّكم لا تَدرون في أيِّها البركَة

“You do not know in which portion the blessing lies” [Saheeh Muslim (5043)]

Gathering together to eat brings with it blessing in the food, and eating separately removes it.

The most prominent water with the most benefits and blessings is the Zamzam water. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: 

إنها مبارَكة، إنها طَعامُ طُعم

“It is blessed (water) and it also serves as food” [Saheeh Muslim (6046)]

In another narration it is mentioned: 

زمزم طعام طعم ؛ وشفاء سقم

“Zamzam serves as food and it serves as cure for sickness” [Musnad al-Bazzaar and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Targheeb (1162)]

And from the time which Allaah تعالى has chosen and elevated it and honored it and blessed it is the Lailat al-Qadr which is Lailat al-Mubaarak.

} إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَـٰرَكَةٍ { [الدخان:3]

{We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night} [Surah al-Dukhaan (44):3]

As well as the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah which are also blessed. The early morning hour after the Fajr is a prize, blessed and the time of sending down of the sustenance which is surrounded by blessing. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed for the blessing in the early morning, He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

اللهمَّ بارِك لأمّتي في بُكورها

“O Allaah, bless my Ummah in (what they do in) the early mornings.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (2606), Sunan Tirmidhee (1212), Sunan Ibn Maajah (2236, 2238) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

And sleeping between the Fajr prayer and sunrise is like missing the most precious part of the day.

The House of Allaah – the Ka`bah – is blessed. There is no house in the world more blessed than it, nor beneficial  than it. Allaah جل وعلا says:

} إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ { [آل عمران:96]

{Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-`Aalameen (the mankind and jinns).} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 96]

And the reward for praying in Masjid al-Haraam is 100,000 (hundred thousand) times better than praying anywhere else.

And the Prophet’s city (al-Madeenah) is a blessed place as well. Prayer in the Prophet’s Masjid is better rewarded 1,000 times more than any other places. Its scale and its Mudd (a way of measuring by scooping with the palm of the hand) are blessed and its dates are of the highest grades. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: 

اللهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي مَدِينَتِنَا، وَفِي ثِمَارِنَا، وَفِي مُدِّنَا، وَفِي صَاعِنَا بَرَكَةً مَعَ بَرَكَةٍ

“O Allaah, shower blessings upon us in our city, and in our fruits, in our mudd and in our sa's (two forms of measurements), blessings upon blessings” [Saheeh Muslim (3171)]

And in another narration: 

وَاجْعَلْ مَعَ الْبَرَكَةِ بَرَكَتَيْنِ‏

“And (O Allaah) shower with its blessings two other blessings (i.e. multiply its blessings)” [Saheeh Muslim (3173)]

And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also said:

اللهمَّ اجعَل بالمدينة ضِعفَي ما جَعلتَ بمكّة من البرَكة

“O Allaah! Bestow on Madeenah twice the blessings You bestowed on Makkah” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1885) and Saheeh Muslim (3162)]

Imaam al-Nawawee said: “and what is apparent is that the blessing is in the way of measurement itself; for a Mudd (handful) (of a thing) in it (Madeenah) will suffice that would not suffice in any other place. And this thing was perceived during the course of my living there” [Sharh Saheeh Muslim (9/142)]

And Allaah تعالى blessed al-Aqsaa and what is around it:

}سُبْحَانَ ٱلَّذِى أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَىٰ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلأقْصَى ٱلَّذِى بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ ءايَـٰتِنَا{  [الإسراء:1]

{Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allaah) Who took His slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) for a journey by night from al-Masjid-al-Haraam (at Makkah) to the farthest Masjid (in Jerusalem), the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) of Our Aayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.)} [Surah al-Israa (17):1]

And the prayer in Masjid al-Aqsaa is 500 times better than any other place.

The virtues are present at all times and at all places when it is accompanied by Imaan (Faith) and righteous deeds. So whichever place a man is, as long as he is upon righteousness, is for his own benefit. Salmaan al-Faarsee رضي الله عنه said: “It is not the land which purifies anyone; rather what purifies a person is his (good) deed.” [Muwatta of Imaam Maalik (3022), al-Hilyah (1/205)]

O slaves of Allaah! When the sins increase and apparent in the land, then it is followed with punishments. But whenever the sins are suppressed in the land, the blessings of Allaah become apparent in it. Increase in sins and shameful deeds is the reason for raising up of goodness and blessings. Allaah جل وعلا says:

} وَأَلَّوِ ٱسْتَقَـٰمُواْ عَلَى ٱلطَّرِيقَةِ لأَسْقَيْنَـٰهُم مَّاء غَدَقًا * لّنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ وَمَن يُعْرِضْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبّهِ يَسْلُكْهُ عَذَابًا صَعَدًا { [الجن:16، 17]

{If they (non-Muslims) had believed in Allah, and went on the Right Way (i.e. Islam) We should surely have bestowed on them water (rain) in abundance. That We might try them thereby. And whosoever turns away from the Reminder of his Lord (i.e. this Quran, and practice not its laws and orders), He will cause him to enter in a severe torment (i.e. Hell).} [Surah al-Jinn (72): 16-17]

Sins are the major preventers of blessings in wealth, age and actions. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

وإنّ العبدَ ليُحرَم الرزقَ بالذنبِ يصيبُه

“and nothing deprives a man of provision but the sin that he commits” [Sunan Ibn Maajah (90) and graded as “Dha`eef” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: “As a whole, whoever sins, then sins remove away the blessings from the Deen and the Dunyaa, so that he won’t find any blessings in his age, his religious affairs and his worldly affairs.” [al-Jawaab al-Kaafi (1/84)]

And do not pursue that which is with Allaah except through obedience; and closeness to Him through righteousness. Increase in good deeds increases blessings and with repentance to Allaah, the doors of provision are opened. Allaah تعالى said:

} وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ ءامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوْاْ لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَرَكَـٰتٍ مّنَ ٱلسَّمَاء وَٱلأرْضِ وَلَـٰكِن كَذَّبُواْ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُمْ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْسِبُونَ { [الأعراف:96]

{And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes, etc.)} [Surah al-A`raaf (7): 96]

Usury (interest) is that which makes the money useless and unbeneficial, the one who engages in it (by taking or giving or being a witness to it) is like the one who is running behind a mirage. Allaah تعالى says:

} يَمْحَقُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْرّبَوٰاْ وَيُرْبِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ { [البقرة:276]

{Allah will destroy Ribaa (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqat} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 276]

Selling commodities by taking false oaths removes the blessing from it.

Not giving Sadaqah (charity) due to the fear of poverty is a cause of destruction of the wealth. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The angel says:

اللهمَّ أعطِ ممسكًا تلفًا

“Allaah, bring destruction to one who withholds (every miser)” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1442) and Saheeh Muslim (2205)]

And O brothers in Islaam! Do not search for blessings except through the ways that have been legislated. Verily, this legislation (Islaam) has shown many ways to attain blessings.

So stick to servitude and obedience and stay away from that which has been prohibited and from doubtful matters, Allaah تعالى will bless you in your actions and what He تعالى has provided you.

O Allaah! Bless us in our provision.

O Allaah! Suffice for us that which You have made Halaal over that which You have made Haraam.

O Allaah! Grant us to follow our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and turn us away from innovations in our religion.

Allaahumma Salli wa Sallim wa Baarik `alaa Nabiyyinaa Muhammad wa `alaa Aalihee wa Sahbihee ajma`een.