Some thoughts on Barakah New to Islam 11th January 2012 : Some thoughts on Barakah New to Islam 11 th January 2012
Blessings…. : Blessings…. As Muslims, we believe that we receive many ‘Blessings’ from Allah swt , in many ways and through many different routes Allah swt gives – that is His ( swt ) way These blessings can be of great value to us, however can also become a burden for us if we mistreat them or misuse them
Barakah…. : Barakah …. The word ‘ Barakah ‘ is often used to indicate blessing from Allah swt - that something (an act/deed, an object, a situation, work etc ) has an element of inherent goodness. From this word, we have other associated words or phrases such as “Eid Mubarak!” (Blessed Eid) and “ BarakAllahu Feek ” (may Allah swt bless you)
Barakah…. : Barakah …. The word ‘ Barakah ‘ is from the Arabic root word ‘Baa- Raa - Kaaf ’ برك The meanings: To kneel down – to make kneel down To remain or linger Nurture or growth
Barakah…. : Barakah …. The word ‘ Barakah ‘ is from the Arabic root word ‘Baa- Raa - Kaaf ’ برك There are similar words from this root: Birka – a pond or small lake. A puddle or pool
Barakah…. : Barakah …. The word ‘ Barakah ‘ is from the Arabic root word ‘Baa- Raa - Kaaf ’ برك Barakah was also the name of a lady who was the servant of the Prophet’s mother ( pbuh ) and who looked after him after his mother died. When she was married in later years, she had a son called Ayman and so she became known as ‘Umm Ayman ’
Ni’mah…. : Ni’mah …. The word ‘ Ni’mah ‘ is also often used to indicate a blessing or favour which Allah has given. نعمة everything that is beneficial to is known as a ni`mah . The following verses of the Holy Qur’an give us some indication of the nature of some blessings….
Ni’mah…. : Ni’mah …. أَلَمْ تَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُ ظَاهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةً وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يُجَادِلُ فِي اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَلَا هُدًى وَلَا كِتَابٍ مُّنِيرٍ Do you not see that Allah has made subject to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and amply bestowed upon you His favors , [both] apparent and unapparent? But of the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or an enlightening Book [from Him]
Ni’mah…. : Ni’mah …. In this verse, Allah swt describes the kind of blessings He has given us: Dhaahiratan : everything that can be known by seeing. This refers to blessings that are physical, tangible, and that we can see and grasp immediate knowledge of. Examples of Dhaahir blessings would be our body and the food we eat. Baatinah : everything that cannot be observed but is known through evidence. For example, the statement, “it was a blessing in disguise”
Ni’mah…. : Ni’mah …. In this verse, Allah swt describes the kind of blessings He has given us: Baatinah : everything that cannot be observed but is known through evidence. For example, the statement, “it was a blessing in disguise” This refers to hidden blessings that we cannot immediately perceive. For example, the operation of our bodies. Most of us do not even know how our bodies function and operate until something goes wrong. Batin blessings also refer to intangible blessings; for example, our intellect and the knowledge we retain. Allah has given us blessings that we do not easily recognize and are intangible to us.
Barakah…. : Barakah …. All Blessings come from Allah ( swt ) alone. In Surah Imran, Allah ( swt ) says : قُلْ إِنَّ الْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ اللّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاء وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ Translation: Say: Surely all good [comes from] the hand of Allah, He gives it to whom He pleases; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing. (Surah Al-Imran, verse 73) 1 Likewise, in Surah Mulk (also called Surah Tabaarak ) Allah ( swt ) says : تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ Translation: Blessed be He in Whose hands is Dominion; and He over all things hath Power; (Surah Mulk , verse 1)
Blessings…. : Blessings…. A man in the past worshipped Allah ( swt ) continuously for 500 years. He was granted a shelter on top of a mountain that was surrounded by salty water. However, Allah ( swt ) caused a stream of sweet water to flow through the mountain for that individual. The man would drink from this water and use it to make ablution . Allah ( swt ) also raised a pomegranate tree from which the man would eat one fruit every day.
Blessings…. : Blessings…. One day, this person supplicated to Allah ( swt ) : “ Oh Allah ( swt ), bring my death while I am in the state of prostration.” Allah ( swt ) accepted this dua of his. Whenever Jibreel (as) came down to the Earth, he found this man prostrating to Allah ( swt ). On the day of Judgement, Allah ( swt ) tells the angels to take this man to Paradise through His mercy. However, this man instead insists that he should enter paradise through the good deeds that he had performed for the 500 years.
Blessings…. : Blessings…. Then, Allah ( swt ) tells the angels to compare the weight all of his good deeds against the blessings that were given to him in the world. It will be seen that 500 years of his worship does not even equal to the gift of his eyesight that was given to him by Allah ( swt ). The angels will be told to take him toward the hellfire . Then the man will then plead , “Oh Allah ( swt )! Enter me into Paradise only through Your mercy!!!”
PowerPoint Presentation : At that point, the following discussion will take place between Allah ( swt ) and that man. Allah ( swt ) says: “Oh my servant, who created you?” The worshipper says: “Oh Allah ( swt ), You have created me.” Allah ( swt ): “Were you created because of the good deeds you have done or because of My mercy?” The worshipper: “Because of Your mercy”.
PowerPoint Presentation : Allah ( swt ): “Who granted you the ability to worship for 500 years ?” The worshipper: “Oh Almighty ! You have granted me that ability .” Allah ( swt ): “Who placed you on the mountain surrounded by the ocean? Who caused a stream of sweet water to flow in between the salty water? Who caused a pomegranate tree to grow for you? Who granted you death while in the state of prostration ?” The worshipper: “Oh Sustainer of the Worlds! You have done all of these .” Then Allah ( swt ) will say, “All these have happened due to My mercy and you too will enter Paradise only through My Mercy.”
Our Blessings…. : Our Blessings…. In truth, we are blessed every day by Allah swt , although we do not always think of it or appreciate it. There are so many things – both tangible and intangible, that we receive constantly
Our Blessings…. : Our Blessings…. In truth, we are blessed every day by Allah swt , although we do not always think of it or appreciate it. What blessings do we receive, seen and unseen? What has Allah swt given us? Think and reflect……and count your blessings! Take Heart! Allah swt gives beyond measure
Thanking Allah…. : Thanking Allah…. As we have learned, every blessing we receive comes from Allah swt We should have a habit of reflecting on our blessings and being grateful to Allah swt for them. So how can we give thanks for our blessings?
Thanking Allah…. : Thanking Allah…. When we show gratitude for our blessings, Allah swt INCREASES the blessings he gives us ! “And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are truly grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour ]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe’.” (Surah Abraham, Vs : 7) Allah swt says “So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” (Surah al Baqarah Vs:152) “…And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor ] – then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.” (Qur’an, Surah Luqman Vs:12 )
So how can we thank Allah…? : S o how can we thank Allah…? Shukr – thanking Allah swt . Thank Him for the good in happiness and thank Him for not making it worse in times of trouble . An excellent way of thanking Allah swt for His blessings are to use the blessings we have to do good. True thankfulness is apparent in action – using the blessings we have in a way that will please Allah swt Praying! Dua and voluntary prayers. The Prophet pbuh used to stand all night in prayer til his ankles became swollen out of gratitude. Aknowledgement ! We Say ‘Alhamdulillah’, ‘ SubhanAllah ’ and ‘ Allahu Akbar’ etc when we see something good, to immediately praise Allah swt for His favour. Get in the habit and your tongue will benefit you!!
Islamic Studies Trust in association with Solas Foundation, New to Islam, SPMA, and SISOC present: : Islamic Studies Trust in association with Solas Foundation, New to Islam, SPMA, and SISOC present: **********************Virtues Tour 2012 ********************* Friday 3rd of February 2012 6.30pm - 10.00pm @ Kabana Restaurant, 64 Seaward St Glasgow G41 1HJ Tickets are £5 and can be purchased through NTI or by contacting: Mobile-07886 221 334 or 07815 176 630 Email- events@islamicstudiestrust.com or info@newtoislam.co.uk ............................................................................................. We are blessed with beautiful line up of speakers: Shaykh AbdulKarim Yahya (USA) Shaykh Yahya Rhodus (USA) Shaykh Ibrahim Osi-Efa (UK) We will also inshallah be joined by: Sabah Arbili – Calligrapher, Amir Sulaiman – Poet, Mustafa Davis – Film Maker all to be confirmed
JazakAllah for coming. Please Make Du’a for us and for each other for Allah swt to strengthen our hearts and improve our condition. May Allah swt send peace and blessings upon the Prophet (pbuh), His family and His Companions. : JazakAllah for coming. Please Make Du’a for us and for each other for Allah swt to strengthen our hearts and improve our condition . May Allah swt send peace and blessings upon the Prophet ( pbuh ), His family and His Companions.