At Barakah Capital, we understand that barakah is more than just a blessing—it’s a divine amplifier that enhances every aspect of life it touches. At its core, barakah is about getting more out of less. It’s the hidden force that allows seemingly limited resources to yield abundance, and small efforts to produce outsized results.
Muslim scholars define Barakah as, “Barakah is the attachment of Divine Goodness to a thing, so if it occurs in something little, it increases it. And if it occurs in something much, it benefits.” This concept of multiplication and enhancement is central to our understanding of Barakah. Whether it’s in our wealth, time, efforts, or relationships, Barakah allows us to achieve more with what we have, often in ways that defy conventional expectations.
In this article, we’ll explore the key elements that can increase barakah (Boosters), those that can hinder it (Blockers), and the practices that can help cultivate it (Barakah Bees).
Barakah Boosters
- Engaging with the Quran: The Quran itself is described as “Mubarak” (blessed). Regular recitation, understanding, and implementation of Quranic teachings can bring immense Barakah into our lives, affecting everything from our wealth and health to our relationships and time management.
- Prioritizing Salah (Prayer): Making prayer a top priority in our daily lives can significantly increase barakah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of prayer, particularly the early morning prayer (Fajr) and the night prayer (Tahajjud).
- Giving in Charity: Charitable giving is a powerful Barakah booster. A beautiful hadith tells the story of a farmer who gave one-third of his produce in charity and saw his wealth multiply as a result. This very hadith inspired Barakah Capital’s founder, Bilal Dannoun, to dedicate one-third of the company’s revenue to charity, embodying the principle of raising one’s “standard of giving” above one’s “standard of living.”
- Gratitude: Expressing gratitude for Allah’s blessings can lead to an increase in those blessings. The Quran clearly states, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]” (14:7). This principle is at the heart of attracting more Barakah into our lives.
- Focusing on Intention: It’s crucial to concentrate on our intentions rather than outcomes. We aren’t in control of results, but we will be rewarded based on our intentions and sincerity. This mindset shift can bring immense Barakah to our actions, regardless of their apparent outcomes.
- Maintaining Family Ties: Strengthening relationships with family members, especially those who may have distanced themselves, can bring barakah in sustenance and lifespan. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of maintaining familial bonds through his teachings: “Whoever wishes that his provision be increased and his age lengthened, let him maintain the ties of kinship.” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Honesty in Business: Being truthful and transparent in business dealings can lead to blessings in one’s transactions and overall wealth. As taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), honesty in commerce is crucial for Barakah: “The buyer and the seller have the option to cancel their transaction as long as they have not parted; and if they were truthful and made clear the defects of the goods, then they would be blessed in their bargain. But if they tell lies and hide some facts, their bargain would be deprived of Barakah (blessings).”
- Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness): Regularly saying “Astaghfirullah” throughout the day invites Allah’s forgiveness and brings about abundant blessings including wealth, health, and increased opportunities.
- Tasbeeh (Glorifying Allah): Reciting the phrases “SubhanAllah,” “Alhamdulillah,” and “Allahu Akbar” helps attracting Barakah. When Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), asked her father for a servant to help with her physically demanding chores, he advised her instead to recite Tasbeeh before going to bed. He taught her to say “SubhanAllah” (Glory be to Allah) thirty-three times, “Alhamdulillah” (Praise be to Allah) thirty-three times, and “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) thirty-four times.
- Performing Umrah: Alternating between Hajj and Umrah removes poverty and sins, acting as a profound booster of Barakah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Alternate between Hajj and Umrah, for these two remove poverty and sins just as the bellows remove impurities from iron and gold.”
- Utilizing the Early Morning Hours: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the special blessings available in the early morning hours for his community. He said, “O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings.” (Sunan Ibn Majah) This hadith encourages the use of early morning hours for worship, self-development, or tackling important tasks.
Barakah Blockers
- Engaging in Sins: Persistent sinful behavior can blind our hearts to truth and beneficial opportunities, hindering the flow of barakah in our lives. It leaves us feeling weak, depleted, and unable to express our full potential.
- Delaying Prayer: Postponing obligatory prayers can delay the blessings that Allah has in store for us. After the declaration of faith, there’s nothing more beloved to Allah than prayer performed on time.
- Dealing with Riba (Interest): Involvement with interest-based transactions can severely impact the Barakah in one’s wealth and relationships. The Quran strongly warns against Riba, stating that Allah “destroys interest and gives increase for charities.”
- Lack of Modesty: Not lowering one’s gaze and engaging in immodest behavior can obstruct the connection between “Basar” (sight) and “Baseerah” (insight), potentially blocking Barakah.
- Dishonesty in Business: Deceit in business dealings, even if it provides short-term gains, ultimately leads to a loss of Barakah. It’s like drinking saltwater to quench thirst—it may offer temporary relief but ultimately intensifies thirst and harms one’s health.
Barakah Bees (Helpers)
- Taking Action: Rather than waiting for perfect conditions, taking massive action towards our goals can attract Barakah. It’s about acting our way into a new way of doing things.
- Tawakkul (Trust in Allah): Confronting our fears with trust in Allah’s plan can open doors to unexpected blessings. The Quran frequently instructs believers with “La Takhaf” (Do not fear), encouraging us to move forward with confidence.
- Consistency: Regular, consistent actions in worship and good deeds build strong habits that attract and maintain Barakah. Consistency builds habits, strengthens them, and maintains them over time.
- Patience: Like the bamboo plant that spends years developing its root system before rapid growth, patience in our endeavors can lead to exponential Barakah. The Quran mentions patience in over 90 places, emphasizing its importance.
- Visualization: Mentally picturing ourselves as the person we aspire to be – physically, mentally, and spiritually – can help align our actions with our goals and attract barakah.
At Barakah Capital, we strive to incorporate these principles into our business practices and personal lives. By boosting barakah, avoiding its blockers, and nurturing its bees, we aim to create a positive impact that extends far beyond financial success. We invite you to join us on this journey of seeking and spreading Barakah in all aspects of life, always remembering that our success lies not in the outcomes, but in the sincerity of our intentions and the consistency of our efforts.
Barakah Capital is committed to featuring Shariah-Approved, ethical investment projects. Some projects turn idle money into monthly passive income, freeing time for worship, fun, travel, and family. Our mission extends beyond financial gains to fostering hope and prosperity within our Ummah. With Allah’s will, we aim to grow by dedicating a significant portion of our profits to charity—starting with up to one-third and planning to increase this share as we expand. Our projects, historically yielding over 15% ROI on average.
