Central Khutbah : “A Proper Understanding of Barakah”

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad, his noble family, his companions, and all those who follow him until the Day of Judgment.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Barakah (blessing) is one of the most precious gifts from Allah, yet it is often overlooked or misunderstood. It is not merely an increase in quantity, but rather the presence of divine goodness that gives lasting and beneficial value to whatever it touches.

Allah, the Most High, conveys the words of ‘Isa (Jesus), peace be upon him:
“And He made me blessed wherever I may be…”
(Surah Maryam, v. 31)

To be blessed means to be a source of goodness, tranquility, benefit, and divine mercy—wherever you are, in your speech, actions, and way of life. Barakah means growth, increase, and spiritual fruitfulness. It is a divine grace that descends upon something, making it lastingly beneficial. It is Allah’s invisible help and a divine intention of good embedded in our efforts. It is not the result of our strength, but a gift from the Most High.

Allah says:
“Blessed is the One in Whose hand is the dominion!”
(Surah Al-Mulk, v. 1)

This verse teaches us that barakah is not in our control, but in the hands of Allah.

A powerful example of barakah in life is that of the Companion Sa’d ibn Mu’adh, may Allah be pleased with him. He accepted Islam at the age of thirty and passed away at thirty-six. Yet, at his death, the Throne of the Most Merciful shook, as reported in authentic hadiths.
(Bukhari, no. 3803; Muslim, no. 2469)

Only six years of Islam were enough for Allah to honour him with a status no worldly king could attain. That is barakah.

The Prophet ﷺ would supplicate:
“O Allah, bless my nation in the early hours of the morning.”
(Abu Dawud, no. 2606)

The early morning is a blessed time. Some people sleep ten hours and wake up exhausted. Others sleep five and rise refreshed and productive—because there is barakah in their time. If you struggle to complete tasks, try doing them in this blessed time and you’ll witness the blessing.

Barakah is not earned by effort or wealth—it descends as a special favour from Allah. This is seen in the story of Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him. His mother said to the Prophet ﷺ:
“This is your servant, make du‘a for him to be blessed.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“O Allah, increase his wealth and offspring, and bless him—make him blessed.”
(Bukhari, no. 1982; Muslim, no. 660)

This supplication was fulfilled—Anas lived for over a hundred years, had abundant wealth and more than a hundred descendants.

The Prophet ﷺ also made this du‘a for newlyweds:
“May Allah bless you, and shower you with His blessings, and unite you in goodness.”
(Al-Hakim, Al-Mustadrak, 2/183)

And for those who hosted him for a meal:
“O Allah, bless what You have provided for them, forgive them, and have mercy on them.”
(Abu Dawud, no. 3854)

All this shows that barakah is a source of happiness. When found in something small, it increases it; and when found in something great, it makes it truly beneficial.

Barakah is most needed in a few essential areas:

In Life: Sa’d ibn Mu’adh achieved in six years what others do not in sixty. What matters is not how long we live, but how we live. A blessed life is one that leaves a lasting impact—both among people and in the sight of Allah.

In Time: Not all moments are equal. The morning holds a unique barakah. With barakah in time, more is accomplished with less effort and stress.

In Sustenance: It’s not about how much one earns, but how beneficial and sufficient it is. Some have much but are always in debt. Others have little but are content. That is the difference between wealth without blessing and poverty with barakah.

In Knowledge: Blessed knowledge is that which leads you to obey Allah. If a verse or hadith moves you to change, repent, or do good—this is a sign of blessed knowledge. But knowledge that is heard, memorized, yet brings no change in life—that is not barakah.

Many people listen to sermons during Ramadan, are moved to tears by du‘a, but return to their old ways afterward. This shows the need to ask Allah for barakah in knowledge. Knowledge without benefit is like a seed that doesn’t sprout.

Barakah in knowledge means that you remain steadfast in obedience to Allah throughout your life, and that your knowledge strengthens you, not just informs you.

We ask Allah to grant us barakah in our lives, in our families, in our time, in our sustenance, in our knowledge, and in every good He bestows upon us.

Wa akhiru da‘wana anil-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbi-l-‘ālamīn.

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on June 20 2025, at the “Centre Islamique et Culturel Berat” in Esch-sur-Alzette)