Rabi’ul Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar, translates to ‘The First Spring’. It’s a blessed month, with a number of significant events being narrated to have taken place during the month. For Muslims, the month of Rabi’ul Awwal reminds us of the Prophetic traditions and the Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet S.A.W.
As we welcome a blessed month, we want to share the ways you can gain barakah this Rabi’ul Awwal.
Do you know that Barakah is mentioned 32 times in the Holy Qur’an?
According to our scholars, there are two definitions for Barakah:
Barakah refers to the blessing that Allah S.W.T. puts in our time, health, wealth and other parts of our lives. When we say something has Barakah, we’re saying that Allah S.W.T. has blessed it, making it contain plentiful goodness that may continue for a long period of time.
While some may complain about the lack of Barakah in their time, this can be avoided. Here are some ways you can earn Barakah in your life:
Allah S.W.T. taught us that the ultimate Barakah is when we hold tightly to the belief of Tauhid, the Oneness of Allah.
And the most vital act of worship in establishing our belief in Tauhid is our five daily prayers.
If you’re not carrying out the primary act of worship, you can’t expect to have Barakah in your life, and if we neglect this duty, we should not aspect Barakah in other aspects of our lives.
If you want Barakah in your life, then just like any other gift from Allah S.W.T, you need to ask the The Giver of Gifts for it.
Ask Allah S.W.T. daily in your private duas for Barakah in your time, effort, wealth, health – the list goes on! Better yet, memorise some of the supplications taught by the Messenger S.A.W. Feel the weight and significance of the duas that you are asking for, rather than just mindlessly uttering them.
Remember, a sincere dua does not go unheard.
To put Barakah in our time, we should take advantage of sacred times such as the morning hours. These sacred hours are the keys to increased productivity, spirituality and energy.
For one, the last third of the night and the early hours of the morning are times which are full of Barakah. Try it out; wake up for Tahajjud and then work on some of your most important tasks after Tahajjud and Fajr. You will notice that you will be able to get more done in less time due to the blessings that Allah S.W.T. has placed in this time.
For any prayer to be answered, it must be made by someone who has not tainted his wealth or food with that which Allah S.W.T. has been prohibited. Strive your best to earn halal wealth, spend it properly, purchase only Halal food, and set noble goals. If you do so, you will earn Barakah from Allah S.W.T.
Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. said in a hadith: If they (the buyer and seller) spoke the truth and made clear the defects of the goods, they would be blessed in their transaction. And if they told lies and hid some facts, their transaction would be deprived of Allah’s blessings.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Abu Huraira narrated: Allah’s Messenger S.A.W. said, “Allah said, ‘O son of Adam! Spend, and I shall spend on you.”
Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. (Sahih Bukhari)
Many of us know that the way to increase barakah in our wealth is to spend it on others. The same applies to our time too. Volunteer your time for noble causes and you will find yourself with extra time to chase your goals. The more wealth you share with others, the more Allah S.W.T. gives you.
Likewise the more time you spend on others, the more Allah S.W.T. bless your time.
And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’
(Qur’an, 14:7)
When we’re grateful to The Almighty, we’re constantly praising Him with our tongues, acknowledging with our heart, with love and humility that Allah S.W.T. is the source of all our favours and the One gracing us with bounties and provisions.
Hence if we want Barakah in our time, we must be grateful to Allah S.W.T. for all that He has blessed us with, instead of complaining about what we don’t have
