Assalamu'alaikum,
Last month, I made a trip to Turkey and Spain for a couple of events. When I returned home safely, I was shocked to learn that a 6.2 magnitude earthquake had struck Istanbul a day after my departure. The following week, Spain experienced a massive power outage that brought the country to a halt. Had my timing been slightly different, I might have been caught in either crisis.
This experience made me reflect on how rarely we pause to appreciate stability when we have it. That "boring" day with no major disruptions? That "uneventful" work trip? That "regular" workweek? These are not mundane experiences—they're miracles of stability, quiet physical manifestations of Barakah that deserves our deepest gratitude.
The very root of the word Barakah hints at this connection to stability. Arabs would say "Baraka al-Jamal," meaning the camel has knelt and remained in a specific spot, symbolizing steadfastness and rootedness. As I wrote in my book "The Barakah Effect":
"In our volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, finding stability and rootedness is an invaluable source of Barakah. Instead of being perpetually adrift, Barakah helps ground us in our wealth, relationships, and life, enabling us to concentrate on our primary purpose: being a true servant of Allah."
Allah SWT Himself connects stability with Barakah in the Quran:
وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ مِن فَوْقِهَا وَبَـٰرَكَ فِيهَا وَقَدَّرَ فِيهَآ أَقْوَٰتَهَا فِىٓ أَرْبَعَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ سَوَآءًۭ لِّلسَّآئِلِينَ
"He placed on the earth firm mountains, standing high, showered His blessings upon it, and ordained ˹all˺ its means of sustenance—totaling four Days exactly—for all who ask." (Quran 41:10)
Notice how Allah SWT mentions placing mountains—symbols of stability—in direct connection with blessing the earth. This is not coincidental. Stability fosters growth and progress because it provides the firm foundation from which we can build.
Imagine if you and your family changed cities every few months—how difficult it would be for you to grow roots, develop deep relationships, or advance professionally.
Finding Barakah During Instability
But what about when stability seems nowhere to be found?
With wars in Gaza and Sudan, global economic uncertainty, political turmoil affecting communities worldwide—it's challenging to feel the Barakah of stability is accessible. How should we respond?
1. Recognize and be profoundly grateful for whatever stability you do have
Most of us experience pockets of stability even amid broader turmoil. If you have consistent shelter, reliable income, reasonable health, or supportive relationships—these are profound gifts deserving of huge gratitude. A "normal" day with no major crises is not the baseline to be 'expected'—it's a miracle to be appreciated.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Whoever among you wakes up secure in his home, healthy in his body, having the food for his day, it is as if he has acquired the whole world." (Tirmidhi)
2. Find internal stability when external stability fails
When external stability is shaken—whether through job loss, relationship breakdown, health crisis, or societal upheaval—we must find Barakah in interior stability. This comes through:
Anchoring yourself in faith: As Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us in the hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas: "Know that what has passed you by was not going to befall you, and what has befallen you was not going to pass you by." This certainty in Allah's decree gives us unshakeable internal stability.
Hold firm to Salah: Allah tells us, **وَٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ** "Seek help through patience and prayer" (Quran 2:153). Prayer provides the rhythm and structure when everything else is in flux. We all experienced this during COVID when life felt very uncertain, it was Salah that grounded us in our new normal as we shared in this article.
Remembering those with greater tests: The early Muslims faced persecution, exile, and poverty with remarkable steadfastness. Today, millions of our brothers and sisters endure war, displacement, and extreme hardship while maintaining their faith. Their example reminds us that spiritual stability is possible in the most unstable circumstances.
3. Become a source of stability for others
Be the rock for your family. When things are unstable - the old adage "Keep Calm and Carry On" is quite useful advice.
When the world feels chaotic, becoming a stabilizing force for others paradoxically creates stability within yourself.
External instability, when met with interior stability, can deepen our spiritual growth. This is perhaps the most unexpected form of Barakah—finding calmness and deep inner peace in the very circumstances that seem hard to deal with.
May Allah SWT allow us to be grateful when we experience external stability and grant us internal stability regardless of our outer circumstances. May He make us like mountains—firmly rooted, a source of blessing for others, and ever-focused on our primary purpose of worshipping Him. Ameen.
Sincerely,
Mohammed Faris
P.S. To learn the art of living a life of Barakah and remaining calm and stable despite the storms around us, consider joining the next cohort of the Barakah Effect program that starts next week on May 7th insha'Allah. Check it out here.
No comments:
Post a Comment