Barak Allahu Laka - May Allah Bless You!
Often, when two people meet and exchange pleasantries, the conversation tends to quickly shift towards probing questions about the other person's personal matters.
For instance, if someone mentions purchasing a new car, house, or any significant item, it's quite common to hear the question, "How much did it cost?"
Similarly, if the person has recently arrived in a foreign country, they might be asked about their visa type and its validity etc etc.
In the case of acquiring a new job, inquiries may include questions like, "Do you make above $100K?"
And if someone mentions renting a new apartment, the immediate response may be, "How much are you paying for it?"
However, it's essential to remember that these questions can be asked with sensitivity and respect for the other person's boundaries and privacy. Engaging in meaningful and thoughtful conversations can lead to genuine connections without inadvertently crossing personal boundaries.
While these questions may seem innocuous on the surface, it's crucial to recognize a potential danger underlying it.
Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said -
"إِذَا رَأَى أَحَدُكُم مِنْ أَخِيهِ، أَوْ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ، أَوْ مِنْ مَالِهِ مَا يُعْجِبُهُ [فَلْيَدْعُ لَهُ بِالْبَرَكَةِ] فَإِنَّ الْعَيْنَ حَقٌّ"
"If you see something from your brother, yourself or wealth which you find impressing, then invoke blessings for it, for the evil eye is indeed true." - Hisn al-Muslim 244, authenticated by Albani(rahi).
When encountering something impressive in a brother, the immediate response of a fellow brother would be to seek Allah's blessings for the other brother, expressed by saying "Barak Allahu Laka." This gesture is a way to invoke and wish for divine blessings upon the person or the remarkable thing they possess.
As per the explanations provided by scholars, seeking Allah's Barakah in something entails seeking enduring goodness and abundance.
Conversely, if the person who witnesses the impressive thing does not seek the Baraka, there is a significant possibility that the particular blessing may be vulnerable to the effects of the Evil Eye and potentially be adversely affected.
One may raise the question of whether evil, such as the evil eye, could be caused by a pious individual.
The concept of the potential for evil emanating from a pious person is illustrated in one of the supplications that Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) taught Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). In that one case see -
"أَعُوذُ بكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ الَّتِي لَا يُجَاوِزُهُنَّ بَرٌّ ولَا فَاجرٌ مِنْ شّرِّ مَا خَلقَ"
"I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah which neither the upright nor the corrupt may overcome - from the evil of what He created ..." - Imam Ahmed.
It is essential to highlight that in this supplication, the Prophet (peace be upon him) sought refuge in the perfect words of Allah, which cannot be overpowered by either a pious or corrupt individual.
If someone wishes to have Baraka in their life, then there is a prayer from the messenger of Allah peace and blessings be upon him. He said -
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي، وَوَسِّعْ لِي فِي دَارِي، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِي رِزْقِي
“O Allaah, forgive me my sin, make my house spacious and bless me in that which You provide to me.” classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’
Baarak Allahu Feekum
Abu Abdul Mannaan
