How To Bring Barakah Into Your Life
Sometimes we wonder why we work so hard, but our income is insufficient to cover our expenses. We ponder over the unexplained reason why our money never seems enough for our family and home's needs. The scholars say this is a sign – not of a lack of wealth, but a lack of divine blessings (barakah) in our wealth.
When our finances are tight, it can also be a test from Allah SWT and a mercy in disguise. Sometimes through our wealth, Allah causes us to turn towards Him in prayer and dua and be patient and have contentment. It can result in forgiveness of our sins and learning to be reliant upon Him.
However, when we attach our hearts to Allah SWT, submit to Him completely, and make Him our sole goal and purpose (not the blessings), then barakah will enter our lives from all sides without us having to worry about it.
Alhumdulillah, there are things we can do to increase the barakah in our wealth as well, and an essential one is dua. We should be asking Allah SWT to increase our blessings every day.
What is Barakah?
Barakah is a term that means an "increase," a "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 mubarak, and has an unexplained increase and benefit in it from Allah. [al-Isfahani, Mufradaat al-Qur'an]
Having more barakah in our wealth does not mean we have more money in our pockets per se; instead, it means our money's benefits reach further and last longer. Barakah in anything, especially our wealth, is part of our destined sustenance from Allah SWT. It increases and decreases depending on the good and bad actions we do.
So How Do We Bring Barakah Into Our Lives?
Earn a lawful (halal) and wholesome income
You must ensure that your line of work does not contradict Islam's laws and that your wealth is from lawful means. This includes the work you do, whom you work for, and their income source. You need to ensure that your work is ethical and moral.
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 your employer is paying. 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]
Make your intention for the sake of Allah
Purify your intention to earn your income for Allah's sake, provide for your family, avoid borrowing and asking from others, and do good work for others.
Avoid interest in all forms as much as possible
This includes taking interest or paying it out. If you must pay it due to debt, work as hard as possible to pay it off in a short time, then resolve not to enter into it again.
Give thanks for what you have
Allah Says, "And if you all give thanks (to Me, for what I have bestowed on you), I shall surely increase you." [Qur'an 14:7]. Thank Allah with your words and heart by worshiping and obeying Him. Use the blessings He bestows on you for good purposes.
Give in charity
This includes the obligatory charities (zakat, sadaqatul fitr, and qurbani for those with sufficient wealth). It is also an optional charity for good causes. The Prophet PBUH 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]
Be God-conscious and increase your piety
Allah SWT Says, "Whosoever is conscious of Allah, He makes for them a way out (of any difficulty) and provides for them sustenance from whence they cannot conceive." [Qur'an, 65:2-3]
Place your full trust in Allah
Allah SWT Says, "Know that Allah is providing for you and sustaining you at each moment. Do not constantly worry and have fear- this is from the shaytan, who tries to instill fear of poverty, while Allah offers bounties [al-Quran 2:268]. He SWT also Says, "…and whosoever puts their full reliance on Allah, then He is sufficient for them." [al-Quran, 65:3]
Establish prayer (salah) in your home
Work to establish the obligatory prayers amongst your family, and encourage the optional (nafl) prayers. [al-Biqa'i, Tafsir]
Read Qur'an in your home
Reading Surah al-Waqi'ah is known to prevent poverty in a house. The Prophet PBUH said, "Indeed, the house in which the Quran is recited- the goodness [in it] increases…" and in another version, "things are made easier for its family." [Ibn Kathir, Tafsir]
Be generous and give gifts
Give people around you things that they love, from the things that you love. Start with your immediate family, then relatives and neighbors. Become more generous and open-hearted and fight the urge to be stingy.
Be obedient, dutiful, and respectful to your parents
This is a means of an increase in one's lifespan and sustenance. [al-Sha'rani, Lawaqih al-Anwar al-Qudsiyya]
Keep up family ties and do good to relatives
It is mentioned that the barakah comes in the act of enjoining family relations only when it is combined with piety and God-fearing.[Ibn Hibban, Sahih]
Be honest and trustworthy
Do not lie or say false oaths [Ibn Hajr, Fath al-Bari]
Give more than you owe
Give a little more than what you owe people when selling or paying someone [al-Munawi, Sharh Fayd al Qadeer]
Start working in the early part of the day
Become productive after Fajr and do not sleep through the early part of the day. Try to work in the mornings, as the Prophet PBUH prayed, "Oh Allah, give barakah to my Ummah in their early-morning work." [Ibn Majah, Sunan]
Eat together
The Prophet PBUH 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] and "Eat together, all of you, and do not separate individually, because the barakah is in the group." [Ibn Majah, Sunan]
Invite the pious to eat from your food
The Prophet (PBUH) made dua' for his host that pious people eat from his food, which attracts barakah. It also promotes good company that changes the atmosphere of the home. [al-Bayhaqi, Sunan al-Kubra]
Ask for forgiveness
Ask Allah's forgiveness often in your home and elsewhere through saying "astaghfirullah". [al-Bayhaqi, Shu'ab al Imaan]
Treat others well
Be easy-going, of kind nature, and forgiving to others: this includes your spouse and family and 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]
Avoid being wasteful and extravagant
Do not be wasteful and extravagant, nor overly-attached to worldly things: this includes finishing all of one's food and living in moderation. [ibid]
Ask Allah SWT to bless you with wealth
When the Prophet PBUH was asked to pray for young Anas (r.a), the first thing he prayed for was wealth, amongst other things [Bukhari]. Ask Allah to put the wealth in your hand and not in your heart.
These are some ways to attract barakah into one's life and earnings, as mentioned in Islam. You can find more information on barakah and the source of this article's content at seekershub.org.
Salam, I’m Zakeeya!
I believe that making our homes a safe haven for our families, as well as being a wife and mother, brings us great blessings, contentment, and benefits to society as a whole. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to assisting Muslimas in finding tranquility in their roles, taking better care of themselves, and achieving inner peace. Our journey in this world is not an easy one, but I pray the tools and guidance I offer will help you face life's challenges with more gratitude and mindfulness. Join me as I share wifehood, motherhood, homemaking, and lifestyle solutions that make life more fulfilling for you as a woman! Read more about me here.
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