Routines and habits can keep us on track in life, but we can also get stuck in only focusing on things that Dunya has to offer. Eat, sleep, work, repeat. Add Islam into all your actions, and you can get spiritual productivity. As Muslims, our actions should align with Allah’s pleasure. What connects productivity and spirituality? Barakah. Here are five things you can do to put barakah in your work day:
Niyyah – Make Intention
The Prophet PBUH said, “No person leaves the home except that there’s a devil and an angel with a banner in their hands.”
As you step out of your house to go to work, make the intention to do good and be a good person. When you make this intention, Allah SWT instructs the angels to carry a banner over your head for the day until you return home.
You can recite dua as you leave home as well, Bismillah tawakkaltu ‘alallaah, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billah. Translation: “In the name of Allah, I have put my trust in Allah, there is no might and no power except Allah.”
You will not only put barakah in your work day but your entire day.
Taqwa – Be God Conscious
It is all too easy to get consumed by everything happening at work and forget about prayer or even forget to remember Allah SWT. Temptation and distraction are everywhere. Whether you are on your way to work or sitting at a desk, make dhikr.
If you get an email about a new opportunity or a job well done, say, Alhamdulillah. If a coworker invites you to lunch, say Alhamdulillah. When Friday comes, and you have the weekend off, say Alhamdulillah!
The Quran says, “God will find a way out for those who are mindful of him, and will provide for them from an unexpected source.”
65:2-3
Salah – Pray at Work
We cannot always go to the masjid to pray, and workspaces don’t always have a place to pray. Keep a prayer mat in your office where you can see it and a reminder on your phone. You will be more likely to get up and pray. Prayer is a direct connection with Allah, and we should plan our lives around it. If you schedule meetings, avoid doing so during prayer times. Not only will praying during work bring barakah into your work day, but so will having wudu.
Wudu – Be in the State of Purity
Being in a state of wudu is mandatory for prayer so our bodies and hearts are purified. Like prayer, wudu only takes a few minutes to perform during your day. If you’ve been sitting and working for a while, wudu can help refresh you and give you a little energy boost.
Make Dua – Ask for Barakah in Everything!
We can make dua at any time in any place. Some people get shy when asking Allah for things that seem small or worldly. There’s no need to be shy! When we make dua, even for those worldly things, it shows that we are putting our trust in Allah SWT. We know Allah answers every dua.
Bonus Tip:
Make sure you are earning a halal income!
Final Thoughts
Why do we need barakah during the work day? Without barakah during the work day, we don’t maximize our benefits. Allah SWT is the reason for our success, and if we do not bring him to work with us, how can we succeed? Yes, Allah is always with us, watching us. He knows everything, but we should actively seek his blessings in everything.