Blessings for ‘Barkat’ or Prosperity

Barkat is an Arabic word that is very commonly used by Malayalees in their daily life and is very well known. It is a word that has become ingrained in the life of Muslims especially in Malabar. So it is called immense abundance. According to the use of this word in different contexts, the church has given it a slight variation in meaning. For example, when it is said that there should be blessings in the family, it is meant that there should be prosperity and development of the family and continuity of generations. When we say that there should be blessings in our good deeds, it means that we should get better acceptance and more rewards for our deeds.

Every darshan uses special technical terms that explain its basic concepts and actions. Islam is a philosophy rich in many such technical terms. But finding equivalent and similar words for the same technical terms in other languages has some limitations. The remedy is to borrow such terms to overcome these limitations. Barkat is an Arabic word derived from the root ‘baraka’. Barkat is a single word used by believers to get the special blessings of Jaganyanthan in all matters like health and wealth rather than its excess.

Imagine gaining billions of wealth and omnipotence in one’s lifetime. But his problems seem to never end. There are people among us who are restless no matter how much they get. Here it is not a lack of resources for such people, but the situation is that no matter how much they get, it is not enough. This is called lack of divine blessing or Barkatilla.

There are those who have accumulated billions of wealth and lamented where and how that money has gone. The condition of time and health is also the same. There are people who are busy with enough free time and not being able to do anything relevant. There are people who, despite having a better financial situation, spend their lives without benefiting from that money to the society? It is there that one realizes the importance of blessings in life and the need for ways to increase it. Below are ten suggestions to get Barkat:

Ways to get Barkat

1. It is mentioned in many places in the Qur’an that Allah is the Great Benefactor. Allah is the Most Beneficent, who sent down to the servant of Allah this document that distinguishes between right and wrong (25:1). The best way to receive His blessings is to approach Allah, the Bestower of those blessings. Obedience to His commandments and abstaining from what He forbids is the way to get close to Him.
2. Strengthening one’s relationship with the Qur’an is a good way to receive blessings throughout life. It is stated in the verse (38:27) that the Qur’an is blessed. The explanation given by Tafhimul Qur’an is as follows: The language meaning of Barakat is ‘Nourishment of Happiness’. The meaning behind calling the Qur’an a blessed (blessed) scripture is this: it is the most beneficial scripture for man. It gives unique guidelines for cultivating life. By following them, man will be better off.
3. Living a life of Taqwa is another way to get blessings in life. Taqwa is following the laws of the Creator in all areas of life and staying away from what is prohibited. The Qur’an explains about a people: “If those of that day had believed and had become pious, We would have opened for them the gates of blessings from bread and soil. But they kept denying. So We caught them because of what they earned. 7:96
4. Allah has promised that He will increase abundance for those who are thankful to Allah: “If you are thankful, I will surely increase you – in favors -. It is a remarkable instance when your Lord declared that My punishment would be severe if you were ungrateful.” (14/7). Showing gratitude to Allah and the Holy Prophet is to do what He has commanded and to refrain from what He has prohibited.

5. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has stated that eating together is a blessing. Once some people asked the Prophet: Messenger of Allah. We don’t feel satisfied after eating. What could be the reason? He said: You will eat separately. They said: Yes,
   The Prophet (PBUH) said: But sit and eat together. And recite the name of Allah. You will be blessed. Abu Dawood. The Prophet (PBUH) teaches us a simple solution to the family problem we are facing today.
6. Prayer is another way to receive Allah’s blessings. One of the most important prayers of believers is to shower blessings on everything. Performing such prayers according to the occasion is helpful in receiving the blessings of Allah. You will get more wealth in life. Allah likes His slave to ask only Him. That is the relevance of the prayer for increase in blessings.
7. Good deeds should be done with the sole purpose of pleasing Allah. “A hadith quoting from the Prophet (peace be upon him): Narrated by Ibn Mardawayhi Yazid al-Raqashi: A man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): ‘We give charity for glory. Will we get any otherworldly reward for this?’ The Holy Prophet said: ‘No.’
8. The holy places of Mecca, Medina and Masjid al-Aqsa are designated areas of special blessing in Islam. As such, certain days and times have great merit in Islam. Pray specially on holy times and days when visiting such places. It is made clear in Surat: Isra’ 1 and Surat: Qadr 1, 2, 3 that it is another way to receive Allah’s blessings.
9. Another way to get Barakat is through Halal earning. It is well-known that the Prophet did not accept the prayers of those who use haram food and clothing. Then anything should be done only through the permissible means. Otherwise, there is no problem in getting blessings.
10. The Prophet taught that Allah has ninety-nine good names. We will continue to receive Allah’s blessings by reciting these names, maintaining honesty and justice throughout life, and being meticulous in business and dealings.

In short, all good deeds are ways to receive Allah’s immense blessings. The important thing is to get closer to Allah by doing the good deeds described above and not. Then there is no doubt that the avenues to His special abundance (barakam) will be opened before us.