Explanation about “Barakah” and “Afiyah”

Bismillahi Ta’ala

Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullah,

The term “بركة” (barakah) refers to an increase in Allah’s bounty, mercy, and blessings. It is not merely material abundance but a divine enhancement that allows a person to derive maximum benefit from what they have.

Allah mentions barakah in several places in the Qur’an, such as:

وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَرَكَٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ
“And if the people of the towns had believed and feared Allah, We would certainly have opened for them blessings from the heavens and the earth.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:96)

Barakah is deeply connected to Allah’s pleasure, as it results in Allah providing “توفيق” (tawfeeq)— i.e. the ability to engage in deeds that please Allah.

For example, if someone attains barakah in speech, it means Allah has granted them the ability to use their words in a way that pleases Him. Such a person will naturally incline towards kind and gentle speech, avoid foul or hurtful words, and refrain from harming others through their tongue. Similarly, barakah in sustenance does not necessarily mean an increase in wealth but rather that Allah grants a person the ability to earn through lawful means and be content with what they have. Even if their wealth is modest, they will find sufficiency and fulfillment in it.

The same principle applies to barakah in life, wealth, children, and faith. A life filled with barakah is one where a person makes the most of their time in obedience to Allah. Barakah in wealth means using it in ways that bring divine pleasure, such as charity and supporting loved ones. Barakah in children means that they grow up righteous and beneficial to society, and barakah in Iman (faith) results in steadfastness in worship and devotion.

Nabi of Allah ﷺ has made supplication asking for barakah in morning time for the entire ummah:

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لِأُمَّتِي فِي بُكُورِهَا
“O Allah, bless my nation in its early mornings.” (Sunan Abu Dawood #2606)

This indicates that the barakah is Allah’s blessing in intangible forms as well.

At the same time we are also instructed to seek barakah through supplication as well.

اللَّهُمَّ قَنَّعْنِي بِمَا رَزَقْتَنِي، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَاخْلُفْ عَلَيَّ كُلَّ غَائِبَةٍ بِخَيْرٍ
“O Allah, make me content with the provision You have given me and bless me in it and appoint good for me in every thing which I do not have.” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad #681)

اللهم بارك لي في مالي ووقتي
(O Allah, bless my wealth and time).

On the other hand, “عافية” (āfiyah) pertains to safety, security, and well-being. It encompasses protection from physical, emotional, and spiritual harm. While barakah leads to an increase in goodness, āfiyah is the state of being safeguarded from trials and difficulties. In essence, when Allah grants barakah, one of its outcomes is āfiyah—the protection and stability that allow a person to live in peace.

However, the highest form of āfiyah is not just safety in this world but protection in the Hereafter. True well-being is when Allah secures a person’s eternal success by guiding them towards what pleases Him. A person may experience challenges in this world but still be in a state of āfiyah if those trials serve as a means of purification and ultimately lead to Allah’s pleasure.

The Prophet ﷺ advised asking for āfiyah:

سَلُوا اللَّهَ العَفْوَ وَالعَافِيَةَ، فَإِنَّ أَحَدًا لَمْ يُعْطَ بَعْدَ اليَقِينِ خَيْرًا مِنَ العَافِيَةِ
“Ask Allah for forgiveness and well-being, for no one is given anything after certainty (faith) better than well-being.”(Sunan At-Tirmidhi #3558)

Thus, barakah and āfiyah are interconnected—barakah brings an increase in divine favor, while āfiyah ensures one remains secure in both worldly and eternal matters. A believer should seek both, asking Allah for barakah in their time, wealth, and deeds while also praying for āfiyah, ensuring that their journey in this world leads to safety in the Hereafter.

Wallahu A’lam

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faisal al-Mahmudi