Barakat (blessings) is a widely used term. Its literal meaning is welfare, success, stability and growth. Barakat means receiving special favour from Allah. Which means, getting special favours in some matter, be it small or large, which brings benefit to all in this life and the hereafter. (Mukhtarus Sihah, Page : 49)

In numerous places in the Holy Quran, different words are used in the meaning of Barakat. Its use can be seen in various fields including objects, space and time. The word Tabaraqa, derived from the word Barakat, is used to describe the immense power of Allah. It has been said, ‘Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Quran) to His slave (Muhammad SAW) that he may be a warner to the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).’ (Surah Furqan, verse 1)

Elsewhere it is stated, “Blessed is He Who created the constellations in the heavens and placed therein lamps and the shining moon.” (Surah Furqan, verse 67)
It has also been said, ‘Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority. And He is Most Capable of everything.’ (Surah Mulk, verse 1)

Blessed Places: Many revered objects and places have been described as blessed. Those are—

Makkah City: Makkah city is mentioned as blessed place. It is said in the Quran, “Surely the first Home laid down for mankind was indeed at Bakkah, (Another name of Makkah) a blessed (place) and a guidance to the worlds.” (Surah Al-Imran, verse 96)

Area of Sham: In the Quran, the area of Sham is called a blessed place. It has been said, “I made those who were considered weak (Bani Israel) inherit the east and the west (i.e. Syria and Egypt), that We had blessed…..” (Surah A’raf, verse 137)

Baitul Moqaddas : The area of Baitul Moqaddas is a blessed area. Allah says, “And (We made subservient) to Sulayman, the wind blowing violent, pursuing its course by his command to the land which we had blessed and we are knower of all things.” (Surah Ambiya, verse 81)

Surroundings of Masjid al-Aqsa: The surrounding of the holy Masjid al-Aqsa is a blessed area. It is said, “Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs.” (Surah Bani Israel, verse 1)
The Sinai region of Egypt: The Sinai region of Egypt is called blessed in the Quran. It has been said, “When Musa (a.s.) reached the fire, he was called from the south side of the valley of the blessed region and said, ‘O Musa, I am Allah, the Lord of the worlds.'” (Surah Qasas, verse: 30)

The Holy Quran mentions rainwater and olive trees as blessed objects. In addition, Lailatul Qadr is called the blessed night.

Qur’an: The Holy Quran was mentioned as blessed. It is said, ” And this is a blessed Book (the Quran) which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allah (i.e. do not disobey His Orders), that you may receive mercy (i.e. saved from the torment of Hell).” (Surah An’am, verse 155)

Rainwater: Rainwater is called blessed in the Holy Quran. It is said, ‘I send down from the sky blessed rain and with it grow gardens and ripe crops.’ (Surah Kaf, verse 9)

Olive Tree: The olive tree is a blessed tree. It has been said, “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp; the lamp is in a glass; the glass is like a glittering planet, kindled, from a blessed tree—an olive tree—neither eastern nor western. Its oil would almost illuminate even if no fire were to touch it….” (Surah Noor, verse: 35).

Night of Qadr: Lailatul Qadr or Night of Qadr is a blessed night. The Holy Quran was revealed on this night. It is said, ‘We sent it (the Quran) down on the night of Qadr.’ (Surah Qadr, verse 1)

Some acts to gain blessings in life: Some acts to gain blessings are described in Quran and Hadith. A few are mentioned below-

Trust and faith in Allah: All blessings in life can be obtained through trust and faith in Allah. It is mentioned in the Quran, “If the inhabitants of those towns had believed and practiced piety, I would have opened for them many blessings in the heavens and the earth, but they rejected it, so I punished them for what they did.” (Surah A’raf, verse 96)

Reciting Quran: The Quran is a blessed book so if you read it, you can get blessings. It has been said, I have sent down this blessed Book, a confirmation of the previous Book, and you will warn the people of Makkah and the surrounding areas with it….’ (Surah An’am, Verse : 92)

So in the hadith, reciting or not reciting the Quran is compared to life and death. On the narration of Abu Musa Ash’ari (RA), the Prophet (PBUH) said, “The parable of the house in which Allah is remembered, and the house in which Allah is not remembered, is that of the living and the dead.” (Bukhari, Hadith: 6407)

Maintaining social relations: Maintain good relations with relatives also a way to get blessings. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Anyone who wants to have his provision expanded and his term of life prolonged should maintain ties of kinship.”.” (Bukhari, Hadith: 5986)

Adopting simplicity in trading: Adopting simplicity in trading is also one of the ways to gain blessings. Rasulullah (SAW) said, “The buyer and the seller have the option of canceling or confirming the bargain unless they separate, and if they spoke the truth and made clear the defects of the goods, them they would be blessed in their bargain, and if they told lies and hid some facts, their bargain would be deprived of Allah’s blessings.” (Bukhari, Hadith: 2110)

Making good use of time: If anyone make good use of time, he/she will be blessed. For a healthy life, one should rest at night and work from dawn. Because at this time, people’s body and mind are fresh and work speed comes. So the Prophet (PBUH) prayed for blessings for the morning work. The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘O Allah, bless my ummah with the dawn.

Praying for blessings: The great way to get blessings in life is to pray. Everyone, including the Prophet, Rasul, prayed for blessings. After boarding the ark, Nuh (a.s.) prayed to Allah for landing in a blessed place. It is said, ‘And say, O my Lord, send me down to a blessed place, and You are the best of descenders.’ (Surat al-Mu’minun, verse 29)

Translated by Sun Online Desk