“A-úthu billáhi minash shaytánir rajeem. Bismilláhir rahmánir raheem.
Al hamdu lillahi nahmaduhu wanasta’eenahu, wanastagh-firuhu, wanatoobu ilayhi, wana’oothu Billaahi min shuroori an-fusinaa, wamin sayyi aati a’maalinaa. May- Yahdillahu fa huwal muhtad, wa may- yudlill falan tajidaa lahu waliyan murshida. Wa ash-hadu an Laa ilaaha ill-Alláh, wahdahoo laa shareeka lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhoo warasooluh”
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today we shall talk about an important topic that we sometimes neglect. This topic is the issue of attaining Barakah from Allah (SWT).
Barakah can be described as a blessing or grace. It is not a state, it is a flow of blessings and grace. It is a word that often rolls from our tongues without us appreciating the true meaning and value of Barakah.
Believers should always seek Barakah in everything they do in order to increase the Barakah in their lives and to multiply their blessings in the fruits of their labour.
Barakah comes from the Almighty.
“Blessed be He in Whose hands is Dominion; and He over all things hath Power.”” (Surah Tabaarak, verse 1)
So, dear Brothers and Sisters, how do we achieve Barakah ?
It is by making sure that we do all our works in the name of our Creator. It is by doing everything to the best of our ability without forgetting that the ultimate giver and taker is Allah Almighty (SWT).
He said in the Quran:
“Surely all good [comes from] the hand of Allah, He gives it to whom He pleases; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.” (Surah Al-Imran, verse 73)
A person seeking Barakah in his wealth, property or work has to be mindful of the way he acts. Money earned needs to be spent well. He should not retain more than necessary for his family and should give to the poor (sadakah), pay the alms (Zakah) and do good deeds with the money he earns without expecting any reward but the pleasure of Allah (SWT).
In regards to any property that he owns, he should look after it but not be tight-fisted with it. Other people may have certain claims over your property, for example it may be your duty to provide for a family member or to look after a guest or traveler. Always give to others what is due to them when they ask you. Feed the hungry when they come to you, host them. Answer the door to the poor and let others use and benefit from what you have.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) further guides us by saying:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be hospitable with his or her guests.”
Barakah in the works you that you do is a flow of blessing and prosperity that comes from Allah (SWT). A believer is required to be mindful of rules and not to be dishonest in any way in any undertaking. Allah (SWT) warns agains those who don’t give due measure (i.e. who cheat):
“Woe to Al Mutaffifoon (those who give less in measure and weight).
Those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, demand full measure,
And when they have to give by measure or weight to (other) men, give less than due.”
A true believer is obliged to pray 5 times a day at certain times, is obliged to do good deeds, and to be a person of good morals. Just as he needs to be observant in these religious duties, a believer needs to be observant in all of the actions he does in order to obtain Barakah.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, if we all keep our Lord in mind and try our hardest to live out His commandments the way He wants us to, we may find that He increases His blessings in our wealth, property and in the work we do. The Almighty will increase your prosperity if you use it in helping others and will alleviate problems from you.
Believers be mindful of the boundless good that your Lord has bestowed upon you and do not be of those who are ungrateful.
May Allah (SWT) grant us the the ability to earn Barakah and to increase His blessing on us and all that we do.