BRINGING BARAKAH IN WEALTH

BRINGING BARAKAH IN WEALTH

Sent by: Sister Umme Ahmed

It is a common complaint of some people that their income is not insufficient or little in terms of its amount and how much one would expect would cover their expenses, but for some unexplainable reason, it never seems to be enough for the needs of the home. 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. First, we need to understand the meaning of Barakah, then look at ways to increase it, and end with some advice on the role of wealth in one’s life.

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-Quraan)

Islamically Barakah means “fulfillment of needs in given resource”. So, having 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 (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) can increase and decrease depending on the good and bad actions one does.

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 (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa).

Hence, these actions are not mathematical formulae for automatic increase. One must keep Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) 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. Amongst the things that one can do are:

1. Earn a lawful (Halaal) 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 Islamically ethical and moral.

2. 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.

3. Make a good intention for Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s sake
Purify your intention to earn for Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s sake, to provide for your family, to not have to borrow and beg from others, and to do works of good for others.

4. 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.

5. Give thanks for what you have been given
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in the Quraan:

لَئِن شَكَرۡتُمۡ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمۡۖ

“……If you express gratitude, I shall certainly give you more……” (Ibrahim 14:7)

Thank Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) with your tongue, your heart, by using His blessings for good purposes, and by obeying and worshipping Him.

6. Give in charity, both yourself and your wife
This includes the obligatory charities (Zakaah, Sadaqatul Fitr and the Qurbani for those with sufficient wealth), but also optional charity to good causes. The Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) 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.

7. Be Allah-conscious and increase your Taqwaa (Piety)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ مَخۡرَجٗا (2) وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُۚ (3)

“……Whosoever is conscious of Allah, He makes for them a way out (of any difficulty) and provides for them sustenance from whence they cannot not conceive…..” (At-Talaaq 65:2-3)

8. Place your full trust in Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)
Know that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is providing for you and sustaining you at each moment. Do not worry constantly and have fear — this is from the Shaitaan, who tries to instill fear of poverty, while Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) offers bounties, as indicated in Quraan:

ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱلۡفَقۡرَ وَيَأۡمُرُكُم بِٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغۡفِرَةٗ مِّنۡهُ وَفَضۡلٗاۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ (268)

“Satan frightens you with poverty, and bids you to commit indecency, and Allah promises you forgiveness from Him, and grace as well. And Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” (al-Baqarah 2:268)

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:

وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُۚۥٓ

“……And whoever places his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him……” (At-Talaaq 65:3)

9. Offer Nafl (Optional) Salaah (Prayers) in your home
While continuing Fardh Salaah (Obligatory Prayers) at Masjid, encourage male members of your family to offer Nafl (Optional) Salaah at home, beside ask the females to offer all Salaah regularly on time.

10. Recite Quraan at home
The reading of Soorah al-Waaqi’ah is known to prevent hunger. It is reported that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “Indeed, the house in which the Quraan is recited — the goodness (in it) increases…”

And in another version:
“…things are made easier for its family.” (Ibne Kathir, Tafsir)

11. Be generous and give Hadaayah (Gifts)
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.

12. 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)

13. 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 Taqwaa (Piety and Allah-fearing. (Ibn Hibban)

14. Be Truthful
Do not lie or say false oaths. (Ibn Hajr, Fath al-Bari)

15. Be generous to common people
Give a little more than what you owe people when selling or paying someone. (Al-Munawi, Sharh Fayd al Qadeer)

16. Try to start working in the early part of the day
Preferably, try to begin your working day after Fajr and do not sleep through the early part of the day. Try to work in mornings, as the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) supplicated: “O Allah! Bestow Barakah to my Ummah in their early-morning work.” (Ibne Maajah)

17. Eat together
The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “…Gather together to eat your food, and say Allah’s name over it (Bismillah) and you will be blessed in it.” (Abu Daawood)

And also:
“Eat together, all of you, and do not separate individually, because the Barakah is in the group.” (Ibne Maajah)

18. Invite the pious to eat from your food
The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) made Du’aa 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-Baihaqi, Sunan al-Kubra)

19. Ask forgiveness
Beg for Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s forgiveness often through saying “Astaghfirullah”. (Al-Baihaqi, Shu’ab al Imaan)

20. 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)

21. Do not be wasteful and extravagant, nor overly-attached to worldly things
This includes finishing all of one’s food and living in moderation.

22. Pray for Barakah
Simultaneously pray to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) to put the wealth in your hand, and not in your heart.

There are other ways also to attract Barakah into one’s life and earnings, mentioned in the vast Islamic primary sources as well as the wisdom of the scholars and righteous.
A Muslim’s finances – abundant or scarce — are always a test from Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). He wants to see his attitude – Shukr (Gratitude) or Sabr (Patience) whatever is related.

In case of financial crunch, it is a mercy in disguise because through something as worldly as wealth, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) causes us to turn towards Him in earnestness. It teaches us patience and contentment, and results in forgiveness of sins and reliance on Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa).

However, the general rule of thumb to attract blessings is always the same. When we attach our hearts to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) 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.