Believe in Barakah

BELIEVE IN BARAKAH

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

Here are ten things to increase its flow this Dhul Hijjah, based on the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.

1. GREET OTHERS WITH PURPOSE AND SINCERITY

Barakah is an Arabic word. It stems from the root ‘B-r-k’, which means ‘to kneel down’ or ‘descend’.

When we greet someone by saying ‘Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahamatullahi Wa barakatahu‘, ‘Mashallah barikallah‘, or ‘Mubarak‘, we are asking for a special blessing to descend from Allah (SWT) and stay with that person for some time. If you’ve ever seen a camel kneel, you’ll know that Barakah from Allah (SWT) is not going anywhere anytime soon!

Barakah blessings can include growth, increase, continuity, and the preservation of one’s health, wealth, and good fortune, so let’s be sure to greet others with purpose and sincerity, knowing that they will respond in kind.

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 placing your trust in Him are intrinsically linked. If you are facing a challenging situation and have done all you can to resolve it, it is time to turn to Allah (SWT). He alone is the source of Barakah and He alone will provide you with the best outcome. Find more inspiration in the story of Qurbani.

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)

Is now the time to start a new morning routine? The early morning is the key to success for many high performers. The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed for Barakah on activities completed at this time. You will be surprised by what you can accomplish when you give yourself an extra hour at the beginning of each day!

4. Give Sadaqah

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

While it may be hard to grasp how giving money can actually increase wealth, we can find reassurance in Allah’s (SWT) promise of Barakah on charity sincerely given for His sake.

If you are in a position to give Sadaqah to help cancer patients at Shaukat Khanum Hospitals, 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 saying ‘Bismillah’. This beautiful Arabic phrase means ‘in the name of Allah (SWT)’. There are numerous hadiths reminding us about the importance of reciting it before beginning a new task. By setting aside a few moments of our day to say ‘Bismillah’, we can access Allah’s (SWT) guidance, support, and Barakah.

6. PUT FAMILY FIRST

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 you ever needed a reason to prioritise family, here it is! This serves as the perfect motivation to work towards a more balanced life, one that includes quality time with our loved ones alongside taking care of our own needs. By doing this, we not only invite Barakah to our earnings, and health, but also create opportunities to strengthen bonds, make lasting memories, and ultimately enjoy a richer and more fulfilling lives.

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)

According to positive psychology, practising gratitude is essential for increasing mental resilience and happiness. While saying “Alhamdulillah” is a good start, sincere gratitude goes beyond mere words.

Genuine gratitude involves actively reflecting on the blessings you already have in your life while making space for more. Curiously, it also involves recognising that however much we thank Allah (SWT), it will never be enough!

8. BREAK BREAD TOGETHER

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 not just about nourishing our bodies. It is a way of inviting Barakah to our tables, relationships, and homes.

Is now the time to establish new mealtime habits, free from distractions like TV and mobile devices, where we can enjoy the pleasures of meaningful connections 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)

The Holy Qur’an tells us that Allah (SWT) and His angels bless the Prophet (ﷺ), while various hadiths emphasise the rewards of reciting Salawat as part of our daily Dhikr (remembrance).

By practising this simple act, we not only invite peace and tranquillity into our day but receive ten blessings for everyone we offer.

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)

Observing halal is more than just sourcing meat from the right butcher. It involves practising honesty and fairness in all our dealings to ensure that we do not infringe on the rights of others.

For example, in the workplace, it involves being punctual, delivering quality service at fair prices, and being prepared to accept losses for the sake of Allah (SWT). Similarly, in a school setting, it involves adhering to the school’s rules, submitting homework on time, and avoiding behaviours that go against Islamic teachings.

By striving for ‘halal’, we can be sure that Allah (SWT) will bless us with Barakah in all our dealings.

 
The walk-in clinic at our new cancer hospital in Karachi is now open to patients in Sindh and Southern Balochistan. Can you add a small Sadaqah Jariyah donation to your Qurbani order and help us reach even more construction milestones this year? Find out more.

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