Many of us ponder why we work very hard, but we attain income that is insufficient to cover financial commitments, or the lack of wealth to fulfill desires.
Scholars have stated this is not regarding the lack of income we are receiving rather the lack of barakah in our wealth.
As many of you who are reading will be aware that barakah is defined as blessings, as Muslims we seek barakah in all that we do and have, from marriage to our careers.
But what exactly are we asking for? Let’s delve more deep into the virtue of barakah and why we should seek for it by Almighty Allah ﷻ.
The linguistic meaning of Barakah is sectioned into 3:
- Growth and Increase (النَّمَاءُ وَالزِّيَادَة)
- Continuity (الاِستِمْرَارِيَّة)
- Established, it remains in its place as if it has stuck
In summary, Barakah can be defined wholly as an attachment of Divine goodness to something which increases whilst it is preserved and protected. The most greatest fruits of Barakah in all things is to use it in obedience to Allah ﷻ. Many of us are aware that supplications and gratitude to Allah ﷻ are one of the most significant methods of attain Barakah in business and generally. Here are a few more ways you can attain Barakah through your business:
1: Rizq, Its Written.
It was narrated from Jabir bin ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“O people, fear Allah and be moderate in seeking a living, for no soul will die until it has received all its provision, even if it is slow in coming. So fear Allah and be moderate in seeking provision; take that which is permissible and leave that which is forbidden. ”
The concept of rizq is widely known amongst us Muslims, that it is foreordained and all that is decreed for us will reach even if it is between two mountains. Having said that, we should not have the mindset that ’rizq is limited, therefore performing actions that will increase it is meaningless.’, rather we should remind ourselves of the following hadith: Ahmad (370), at-Tirmidhi (2344) and Ibn Maajah (4146) narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“If you were to put your trust in Allah as you should, you would be given provision like the birds: they go out hungry in the morning and come back with full bellies in the evening.” (Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani and Shu‘ayb al-Arna’oot.)
We should take note that Allah ﷻ has allowed us the ability to make effort and take measures to seek divine provision, though the hadith is referring to the significance of tawakkul, we can also take from this that making efforts is not a contrary to this rather a way for us to perfect Trust in The Most High.
2: Keep your intentions in check
Sincere intentions are the root of every action we perform, this can be classed into two categories of actions – Ibaadah (worship) and Aadah (Habit), let us look into an example to make it clearer:
The sincerity of every intention that you make distinguishes the Ibaadah from the Aadah. Try and make a conscious intention in your heart for everything you do regarding your business to allow a window of opportunity to turn those deeds into acts of worship. Although seeking profit is not inherently a bad aim, it should be secondary. As Muslims our primary intention and aim should be to please Allah (ﷺ) and establish a Halal income.
The example of worship shown in the image had stemmed from a hadith:
“No man earns anything better than that which he earns with his own hands, and what a man spends on himself, his wife, his child and his servant, then it is charity.” (Arabic ref: Book 12, Hadith 2221)
Whilst speaking on this topic, Id like to share a hadith of Umar ibn Al Khattab (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) who was the second khalifah in Islam and a companion of the prophet ﷺ.:
Ameerul-Mu’mineen, Abi Hafs (may Allah be pleased with him) said that: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“(The value of) an action depends on the intention behind it. A man will be rewarded only for what he intended. The emigration of one who emigrates for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) is for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ ; and the emigration of one who emigrates for gaining a worldly advantage or for marrying a woman is for what he has emigrated.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 020, Number 4692]
So, what shall we take from this Hadith?
Allah ﷻ is The Most Merciful, he has allowed us to attain good deeds in all that we do. We must have sincerity within our intentions and make a clear merit of it. As a business owner, you are allowing individuals to attain benefits from your goods or services as well as gaining a lawful income to fulfil your duties and spend on your loved ones. These are all actions that can be written down as an act of Ibadah in our books through sincere intentions within our hearts, therefore we must make a conscious effort to to purify our intentions to earn income for the sake of Allah ﷻ , to provide for your family and benefit others.
3: Accordance to the Qur’an and Sunnah
Keep in line with your faith. Remember anything left for the sake of Allah ﷻ, will be replaced by something better!
Every single industry consists of norms that may not be aligned to what Muslims have been ordained. As previously mentioned, our rizq is written so every single penny that has been decreed for you, will reach you! Therefore, refraining from what is forbidden and having the sincere intention to align your business operations to what is acceptable will not affect your physical wealth. Rather it will open the doors for barakah to be sought and showered abundantly upon your business.
4: Sadaqah
As Muslim we are all aware of the virtue of giving. Allah ﷻ promises a great reward for those who give charity, as well as the fact that it doesn’t not decrease wealth. Therefore, we must not be reluctant in giving when we can, regardless of how little or how much. Although the physical amount may decrease, we must remember that the remaining amount will attract barakah so the definite benefit from it is not less.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings – for Allah does not accept anything but that which is good – Allah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal (or small horse or related animal), until it becomes like a mountain.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1344; Muslim, 1014
You may be asking, how can I do this through my business? Here are a few ways, remember charity does not limit to donating money:
- Give a percentage of profits to charity
- Set up voluntary work
- Team up with a charity or set up a project
- Help out the homeless and needy through your goods and services.
These ways of seeking barakah are a few out of many. Always remember to seek barakah in everything you do, whatever it may be!
