How Can I Attain Blessings in My Wealth?
Answered by Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Question
How can I attain blessings in my wealth?
Answer
In the name of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, his Family, his Companions, and those who follow him.
When addressing this question, we consider the reasons for blessings in provision. Scholars have agreed that blessings (baraka) mean increase and growth. They distinguish between baraka and mere increase by noting that baraka implies growth in a way that is not visibly perceptible. If something exhibits this hidden growth, it is said to be blessed.
‘Askari said: “It is described for everything in which divine goodness resides. There is no known opposite term, so one says ‘of little blessing’ rather than the opposite of blessed. The act of blessing is only attributed to Allah, hence one does not say ‘Zayd blessed something,’ but rather ‘Allah blessed it.’” [‘Askari, Mu‘jam al-Furuk al-Lugawiyya]
Given this understanding of blessings, material wealth earned by Muslims through their work and effort can either be blessed or the opposite, which is undesirable. The scholars have summarized the causes for blessings in a Muslim’s wealth as follows:
First Cause: Fear of Allah (Taqwa)
Allah says:
“And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them, and provide for them from sources they could never imagine.” [Quran, 65:2-3]
The commentators have explained: “From where he does not hope or expect.” [Ibn Kathir, Tafisr Ibn Kathir]
Taqwa means creating a barrier between oneself and Allah’s punishment by following His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. The fruit of Taqwa is mentioned in Allah’s saying:
“Had the people of those societies been faithful and mindful (of Allah), We would have overwhelmed them with blessings from heaven and earth.” [Quran, 7:96]
Second Cause: Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness
Repentance and seeking forgiveness day and night. The Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) said, as mentioned in the Quran:
“…saying, ‘Seek your Lord’s forgiveness, (for) He is truly Most Forgiving. He will shower you with abundant rain, supply you with wealth and children, and give you gardens as well as rivers.’” [Quran, 71:10-12]
Ibn Kathir commented: “Meaning if you repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness and obey Him, He will increase your provision, send down the blessings of the sky upon you, make the earth sprout for you, grow crops for you, and increase your wealth and children.” [Ibn Kathir, Tafisr Ibn Kathir]
Third Cause: Family Ties
Maintaining family ties. Islamic texts emphasize that maintaining family ties is a cause for increased and blessed provision. In Sahih Bukhari, in the chapter “Whoever loves to be granted more wealth and have his life prolonged, should keep good relations with his Kith and kin,” Anas Ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his lifespan to be extended, let him uphold his ties of kinship.” [Bukhari]
In another hadith, Abu Hurayra narrated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Learn your lineages so that you can maintain your family ties; for maintaining family ties increases love among relatives, increases wealth, and prolongs life.” [Tirmidhi]
Fourth Cause: Charity
Giving charity. Allah says:
“And whatever you spend in charity, He will compensate (you) for it. For He is the Best Provider.” [Quran, 34:39]
Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Allah said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’” [Bukhari]
Fifth Cause: Gratitude
Contentment with what Allah has decreed and being grateful for His blessings. Allah promises an increase for those who are grateful:
“And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more.’” [Quran, 14:7]
These are some of the key causes through which Allah blesses a person’s provision. Muslims should strive to seek lawful sustenance and accompany their efforts with these causes to receive Allah’s blessings and growth in their wealth.
We ask Allah to grant us and our fellow believers peace of mind, abundant lawful provision, and a good end. Blessings and peace be upon our Master Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions.
[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib is a prominent Islamic scholar from Yemen. He was born in Shibam, Hadhramaut, in 1976. He received his degree in Shari‘a from Al-Ahqaf University, a master’s degree from the Islamic University of Beirut, and a PhD in Usul al-Din from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
He studied under great scholars such as Shaykh al-Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad, Shaykh Fadl Ba‘ fadl, Habib Salim al-Shatiri, Habib Ali Mashhur bin Hafeez, and others. He has served as the Director of Publications at Dar al-Fiqh, the former Deputy Director of Cultural Relations at Al-Ahqaf University, a former Assistant for Employee Affairs at Atiyah Iron Company, a researcher at the Sunna Center affiliated with the Dallah al-Baraka Foundation, and a researcher at Al-Furqan Foundation’s Makka al-Mukarrama and Madina al-Munawwara Encyclopedia branch.
Currently, he is a researcher at Al-Furqan Foundation’s Makka al-Mukarrama and Madina al-Munawwara Encyclopedia branch, teaches traditionally through the Ijaza system at Dar al-Fuqaha in Turkey, supervises the Arabic department at Nur al-Huda International Institute (SeekersGuidance), and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Manuscript House in Istanbul.
His works include “The Efforts of Hadhramaut Jurists in Serving the Shafi‘i School,” “Contributions of Hadhramaut Scholars in Spreading Islam and its Sciences in India,” “Hada’iq al-Na‘im in Shafi‘i Fiqh,” in addition to verifying several books in Fiqh, history, the art of biographies, and Asanid (chains of narration).
