Meanings
Barakah means to kneel down or to make a camel kneel down so that it is firmly in place. The words other meaning is to bless or to invoke blessing. In this latter meaning barakahand its derivatives are used 32 times in the Qur’an, either as a noun or as a verb. In the Qur’an this word is overwhelmingly used for spiritual and immaterial prosperity.
The following five meanings are narrated by eminent lexicographers:
- Growth, increase and advancement, especially in crops and cultivation (Surah al-A’raf 7: 96)
- Dignity, exaltation and high status
- Permanence and continuity of blessings, as in Surah Hud 11: 73 for household of the Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him)
- The increase and upsurge in goodness and benevolence (Surah al-Isra 17:1)
- Auspiciousness and prosperity.
Words from the Same Root
Barakat, the plural of Barakah, is widely used to denote that something is endowed with Allah’s blessings. “If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allah We would indeed have opened out to them (all kinds of) blessings” (Surah al-A’raf 7: 96).
It is also used for the tidings of grace and blessings given by angels to the household of the Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) (Surah Hud 11: 73). This prayer of blessing for the Prophet (Peace be upon him) is recited in Tashahhud and Salat.
The word Barakah (We have blessed) is used to convey the meaning that Allah, the Almighty, has showered His benediction on Bayt al-Maqdis and its precincts and consecrated it (Surah al-Isra 17: 1). This word is used in several other surahs in this meaning.
Mubarak means a thing that is full of blessings and goodness. The Quran is called Mubarak in several verses so is Laylat al-Qadr. This indicates that all five meanings mentioned above are embodied in this blessed Book and night.
The blessings from Allah are not perceivable and cannot be felt. They are manifested by different means, such as an increase in goodness. This is called Barakah (pl. Barakat).
Tabaraka denotes that Allah is the Blessed One and He is the one Who bestows benediction and goodness (Surah al-Mulk 67: 1; Surah al-Furqan 25: 1, 10 and 61 and many other places as well).
Barakah: Surah Al-A’raf, 7: 137; Surah Al-Isra’, 17: 1; Surah Al-Furqan, 25: 61; Surah Fussilat, 41: 10; Surah Al-Mulk, 67: 1.
