Every believer longs for barakah that divine blessing which makes little feel like plenty, time feel abundant, and life feel purposeful. Barakah is not measured by numbers, but by the unseen increase Allah places in wealth, health, time, and relationships. But just as good deeds attract barakah, sins can strip it away. A Muslim may wonder why life feels empty, rushed, or stagnant often the answer lies in the hidden sins that rob them of Allah’s blessing.
WHAT IS BARAKAH?
Barakah is a gift from Allah that multiplies benefit and goodness beyond what is visible. One may have modest wealth yet feel rich, or limited time yet achieve much. This unseen increase is not tied to material abundance, but to Allah’s mercy. Without barakah, even great wealth, health, or opportunities feel hollow.
SINS THAT STEAL BARAKAH
NEGLECTING SALAH
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Judgment will be his prayer. If it is sound, he will be successful, but if it is lacking, he will fail.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hasan)
Delaying, neglecting, or abandoning prayer cuts off the very source of barakah. Salah connects us to Allah, and without it, life loses blessing and direction.
DISOBEYING PARENTS
The Qur’an repeatedly commands kindness to parents, placing it alongside worship of Allah:
“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents…”
(Qur’an 29:8)
Disrespect, neglect, or causing pain to parents invites hardship and strips barakah from one’s life. Conversely, honoring parents opens doors of rizq (provision) and mercy.
EARNING THROUGH HARAM MEANS
Wealth earned through interest, fraud, exploitation, or dishonesty may look abundant, but it is deprived of barakah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whatever you spend, Allah replaces it, and He is the best of providers.”
(Qur’an 34:39)
But when income is tainted with haram, it brings stress, restlessness, and loss — even if the numbers increase.
BACKBITING AND SLANDER
The sin of speaking ill about others behind their back not only destroys relationships but also consumes barakah in time and deeds. The Prophet ﷺ likened backbiting to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother (Qur’an 49:12). Such sins poison the soul and darken the heart, removing Allah’s blessings.
PRIDE AND ARROGANCE
Pride blinds the heart from gratitude, and gratitude is the key to barakah. Allah says:
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.”
(Qur’an 14:7)
When pride enters, barakah departs, for the arrogant forget that all blessings are from Allah alone.
HOW TO RESTORE BARAKAH
Even if sins have stolen barakah, Allah’s mercy is vast. Barakah can be restored by:
Sincere tawbah (repentance): Turning back to Allah with regret and a firm resolve to change.
Consistency in Salah: Guarding prayers as the foundation of life’s blessings.
Halal earnings: Purifying wealth through honesty, zakah, and sadaqah.
Gratitude and dhikr: Filling the heart with remembrance and thanks.
Obedience to parents: Seeking their dua and service as a door to Allah’s mercy.
CONCLUSION
Barakah is the hidden sweetness of life, and sins are the thieves that steal it away. A Muslim who neglects prayer, mistreats parents, earns haram, backbites, or lives in pride should not wonder why life feels heavy or unblessed.
The good news is that Allah restores barakah to the one who turns back in repentance. Protecting life from sins and filling it with dhikr, prayer, and gratitude ensures that barakah flows into every aspect wealth, health, time, family, and most importantly, the heart.
