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{{short description|Blessing power in Islam}} |
{{short description|Blessing power in Islam}} |
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{{about|blessing power in Islam|other uses|Baraka (disambiguation)}} |
{{about|blessing power in Islam|other uses|Baraka (disambiguation)}} |
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| ⚫ | In [[Islam]], '''''Barakah''''' or '''''Baraka''''' ({{lang-ar|بركة}} "blessing") is a blessing power,<ref>{{harvnb|Schimmel|1994|pp=xiv}}</ref> a kind of continuity of spiritual presence and revelation that begins with [[God in Islam|God]] and flows through that and those closest to God.<ref name="Nasr">{{cite book|last1=Nasr|first1=Seyyed Hossein|author-link=Seyyed Hossein Nasr|title=Sufi Essays|date=1972|publisher=State University of New York Press|location=Albany|isbn=0873952332|pages=35–36|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BMNQNOHXKOMC}}</ref> |
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{{Refimprove|date=December 2016}} |
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| ⚫ | In [[Islam]], '''''Barakah''''' or '''''Baraka''''' ({{lang-ar|بركة}} "blessing") is a blessing power,<ref>{{harvnb|Schimmel|1994|pp=xiv}}</ref> a kind of continuity of spiritual presence and revelation that begins with God and flows through that and those closest to God.<ref name="Nasr">{{cite book|last1=Nasr|first1=Seyyed Hossein|author-link=Seyyed Hossein Nasr|title=Sufi Essays|date=1972|publisher=State University of New York Press|location=Albany|isbn=0873952332|pages=35–36|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BMNQNOHXKOMC}}</ref> |
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The [[Quran]] is said to be charged with ''barakah'', and God can bestow prophets and saints with ''barakah''. Especially [[Muhammad in Islam|Muhammad]] and his descendants are said to be especially endowed with it. These special people can transfer their ''barakah'' to ordinary people, both while being dead or alive.<ref>Colin, G.S. (2012). Baraka. In P. Bearman (ed.), Encyclopaedia of Islam New Edition Online (EI-2 English). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_1216</ref> |
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Baraka can be found within physical objects, places, and people, as chosen by God. This force begins by flowing directly from God into creation that is worthy of baraka. These creations endowed with baraka can then transmit the flow of baraka to the other creations of God through physical proximity or through the adherence to the spiritual practices of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]]. God is the sole source of baraka and has the power to grant and withhold baraka. |
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Sacred places are said to contain ''barakah'' and ward off evil spiritual forces, thus monastries and Sufi temples are often visited for protection against demonic beings.<ref>Pantić, Nikola. Sufism in Ottoman Damascus: Religion, Magic, and the Eighteenth-century Networks of the Holy. Taylor & Francis, 2023.</ref> |
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==Islamic mysticism== |
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Baraka is a prominent concept in Islamic mysticism, particularly [[Sufism]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Oliver, Haneef James.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/51274504|title=The Wahhabi myth : dispelling prevalent fallacies and the fictitious link with Bin Laden|date=2002|publisher=Trafford|isbn=1-55395-397-5|location=Victoria, B.C.|oclc=51274504}}</ref> It pervades Sufi texts, beliefs, practices, and spirituality. Sufism emphasizes the importance of esoteric knowledge and the spiritual union with God through the heart. Baraka symbolizes this connection between the divine and the worldly through God's direct and intentional blessing of those that are most reflective of Him and his teachings. |
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As a blessing force, barakah is also a force of creation and fertility, causing cereals to miraculously multiply.<ref>Colin, G.S. (2012). Baraka. In P. Bearman (ed.), Encyclopaedia of Islam New Edition Online (EI-2 English). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_1216</ref> |
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Baraka is not a state, it is a flow of blessings and grace. It flows from God to those that are closest to God, such as saints and prophets. Those that have received baraka are thought to have the abilities to perform miracles (''[[karamat]]''), such as thought-reading, healing the sick, flying, and reviving the dead.<ref name="Ernst">{{cite book|last1=Ernst|first1=Carl W.|title=The Shambhala Guide to Sufism|date=1997|publisher=Shambhala|location=Boston, Massachusetts|isbn=9781570621802|edition=1st|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781570621802}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=December 2016}} However, according to [[Abd al-Karīm ibn Hawāzin Qushayri]], a prominent Sufi mystic, the use of these miracles and the actual possession of these abilities are not indicative of a saint's status, however, the performance of these miracles by prophets is important to establish credentials.<ref name="Ernst"/>{{Page needed|date=December 2016}} |
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==Sources, transmission, and traditional importance== |
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The ultimate source for barakah is God. Barakah flows from God through those nearest to him. The [[Qur'an]], [[hadith]], saints, prophets, Muhammad and his descendants are all considered powerful sources of barakah. Barakah often remains after death and graves are thought to transmit barakah from the afterlife or as a manifestation of the deceased's barakah.<ref>JOSEF W. MERI ''ASPECTS OF BARAKA (BLESSINGS) AND RITUAL |
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DEVOTION AMONG MEDIEVAL MUSLIMS AND JEWS1'' in "Medieval encounters" 1999 NV, Brill Leiden p. 47-69</ref> |
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===Transmission through saints=== |
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Saints, as transmitters of baraka, can send baraka to ordinary men{{clarify|date=August 2021 |reason= Men only, or women as well?}} simply through their presence. As this hadith explains, "By means of the righteous Muslim, God repulses affliction from one hundred neighbors".<ref name="Hoffman">{{cite book|last1=Hoffman|first1=Valerie J.|title=Sufism, Mystics, and Saints in Modern Egypt|date=2009|publisher=University of South Carolina Press|location=Columbia, South Carolina|isbn=978-1570038495}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=December 2016}} In this way, the saints provide a means for ordinary men {{clarify|date=August 2021 |reason= Define ordinary. Ordinary as opposed to?}} to connect with the blessings of God through baraka. A saint's shrine is said to emit baraka, which is why many followers of Islam visit shrines. This ritualistic act of visiting tombs and other holy places, such as shrines, to receive baraka is known as [[ziyara]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Karamustafa|first1=Ahmet T.|title=Sufism: The Formative Period|date=2007|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley, California|isbn=978-0520252691}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=December 2016}} |
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===Transmission through khirqa=== |
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Sufis pass esoteric knowledge and baraka from the master [[sheikh]] to the aspirant through the passing of the [[khirqa]]. The khirqa is the initiatory cloak of the Sufi chain of spirituality. This cloak initiates an aspirant into the [[silsilah]], which is the chain of sheikhs that goes back to Muhammad. This chain serves as the channel through which baraka flows from the source of spiritual revelation to the being of the initiate.<ref name="Hoffman"/>{{Page needed|date=December 2016}} There are two kinds of transmission (tanakkul) of baraka through the khirqa: khirqa-yi irada and khirqa-yi tabarruk. Khirqa-yi irada is characterized by the passing of baraka to the aspirant from the singular sheikh to which he has sworn. Khirqa-yi tabarruk, also known as the "frock of blessing", is characterized by the passing of baraka to the worthy aspirant from any sheikh that he has encountered.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Schimmel|first1=Annemarie|last2=Ernst|first2=Carl W.|title=Mystical Dimensions of Islam|date=2013|publisher=Mizan|location=Jakarta Selatan|isbn=978-9794337974|edition=Reprint}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=December 2016}} |
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The silsilah chain created from the passing of the khirqa that confirms authenticity of many hadiths is known as the [[isnad]]. It was not until the late eleventh and twelfth centuries that the Sufi tradition began accepting this form of isnad as a means to transmit mystical knowledge and blessings.<ref name="Brown">{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Jonathan A.C.|title=Hadith: Muhammad's Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World|date=2009|publisher=Oneworld Publications|location=Oxford|isbn=978-1851686636|edition=Reprint}}</ref> |
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===Transmission through Sunnah=== |
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By following the practices and teachings of Muhammad, one can achieve baraka through the emulation of [[Sunnah]]. Because Muhammad is the source of Muhammadan baraka, by living in constant remembrance of [[Names of God in Islam|the names of God]] and in accordance to Muhammad's Sunnah. Those that live the inner Sunnah within the heart, are those that reflect the Light of Muhammad (al-nur al-muhammadi) and the Muhammadan baraka.<ref name="Brown"/>{{Page needed|date=December 2016}} Those that live according to the Sunnah, live in constant remembrance of God, and live authentically from the heart are those to whom God opens the channel through which baraka can flow. By living in accordance to Muhammad, one can become worthy of God's direct blessing of baraka. If granted baraka, the saintly person is able to feel God's force from within and is nourished by the hadith while being guided by the baraka.<ref name="Nasr"/>{{Page needed|date=December 2016}} |
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==Controversy of seeking baraka== |
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Seeking baraka has been a source of controversy throughout the Islamic world since the rise of [[Wahhabism]]. Through the act of [[ziyara]], saints and the shrines of saints are seen as a means to access the baraka sent from God. Because of this, many within Islam see ziyara as a form of [[idolatry]] because it is felt that devotees may be looking towards the saints instead of towards God, Himself, for baraka.<ref name="Sells">{{cite book|last1=Seels|first1=Michael A.|last2=Ernst|first2=Carl W.|title=Early Islamic Mysticism: Sufi, Qur'an, Mi'raj, Poetic and Theological Writings|date=1996|publisher=Paulist Press|location=New York|isbn=0809136198}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=December 2016}} Nevertheless, ziyara remains one of the most typical ritual practices of Islamic spirituality.<ref name="Sells"/>{{Page needed|date=December 2016}} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Mana (Oceanian cultures)|mana]] |
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* [[Al-Barakah]] |
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* [[ |
* [[numen]] |
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* [[Spiritual gift]] |
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* [[Glossary of Islam]] |
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* [[The White Days]] |
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* [[Brakha]] (daily prayer in Mandaeism) |
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==References== |
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{{reflist |
{{reflist}} |
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===Works cited=== |
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* {{Cite book| last=Schimmel | first=Annemarie | author-link=Annemarie Schimmel | title=Deciphering the Signs of God: A Phenomenological Approach to Islam | publisher=State University of New York Press | year=1994 | url=https://www.giffordlectures.org/books/deciphering-signs-god-phenomenological-approach-islam | isbn=978-0791419823 }} |
* {{Cite book| last=Schimmel | first=Annemarie | author-link=Annemarie Schimmel | title=Deciphering the Signs of God: A Phenomenological Approach to Islam | publisher=State University of New York Press | year=1994 | url=https://www.giffordlectures.org/books/deciphering-signs-god-phenomenological-approach-islam | isbn=978-0791419823 }} |
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===General references=== |
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{{Further reading cleanup|date=December 2016}} |
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* Coulon, C., et al. (1988). ''Charisma and Brotherhood in African Islam''. Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-822723-X}}. |
* Coulon, C., et al. (1988). ''Charisma and Brotherhood in African Islam''. Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-822723-X}}. |
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* Meri, J.W. (1999) ''[https://www.academia.edu/805330/Aspects_of_Baraka_Blessings_and_Ritual_Devotion_Among_Medieval_Muslims_and_Jews Aspects of Baraka (Blessings) and Ritual Devotion among Medieval Muslims and Jews]''. ''Medieval Encounters''. 5, pp. 46–69. |
* Meri, J.W. (1999) ''[https://www.academia.edu/805330/Aspects_of_Baraka_Blessings_and_Ritual_Devotion_Among_Medieval_Muslims_and_Jews Aspects of Baraka (Blessings) and Ritual Devotion among Medieval Muslims and Jews]''. ''Medieval Encounters''. 5, pp. 46–69. |
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* Takim, L. N. (2006). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=4nWa8y-HiB0C The Heirs of the Prophet: Charisma And Religious Authority in Shi'ite Islam]''. SUNY Press. {{ISBN|0791481913}}. |
* Takim, L. N. (2006). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=4nWa8y-HiB0C The Heirs of the Prophet: Charisma And Religious Authority in Shi'ite Islam]''. SUNY Press. {{ISBN|0791481913}}. |
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* Werbner, P., et al. (1998). ''[https://books.google. |
* Werbner, P., et al. (1998). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=17iGAgAAQBAJ Embodying Charisma: Modernity, Locality and Performance of Emotion in Sufi Cults]''. Routledge. {{ISBN|1134746938}}. |
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{{Sufism terminology}} |
{{Sufism terminology}} |
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{{Portal bar|Religion|Islam |
{{Portal bar|Religion|Islam|Education|Psychology}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Sufism]] |
[[Category:Sufism]] |
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[[Category:Energy (esotericism)]] |
[[Category:Energy (esotericism)]] |
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[[Category:Islamic terminology]] |
[[Category:Islamic terminology]] |
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[[Category:Islamic practices]] |
[[Category:Islamic practices]] |
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[[Category:Spiritual gifts]] |
[[Category:Spiritual gifts]] |
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[[Category:Spirituality]] |
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[[Category:Vitalism]] |
[[Category:Vitalism]] |
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Latest revision as of 05:17, 17 June 2024
In Islam, Barakah or Baraka (Arabic: بركة "blessing") is a blessing power,[1] a kind of continuity of spiritual presence and revelation that begins with God and flows through that and those closest to God.[2]
The Quran is said to be charged with barakah, and God can bestow prophets and saints with barakah. Especially Muhammad and his descendants are said to be especially endowed with it. These special people can transfer their barakah to ordinary people, both while being dead or alive.[3]
Sacred places are said to contain barakah and ward off evil spiritual forces, thus monastries and Sufi temples are often visited for protection against demonic beings.[4]
As a blessing force, barakah is also a force of creation and fertility, causing cereals to miraculously multiply.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Schimmel 1994, pp. xiv
- ^ Nasr, Seyyed Hossein (1972). Sufi Essays. Albany: State University of New York Press. pp. 35–36. ISBN 0873952332.
- ^ Colin, G.S. (2012). Baraka. In P. Bearman (ed.), Encyclopaedia of Islam New Edition Online (EI-2 English). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_1216
- ^ Pantić, Nikola. Sufism in Ottoman Damascus: Religion, Magic, and the Eighteenth-century Networks of the Holy. Taylor & Francis, 2023.
- ^ Colin, G.S. (2012). Baraka. In P. Bearman (ed.), Encyclopaedia of Islam New Edition Online (EI-2 English). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_1216
Works cited
[edit]- Schimmel, Annemarie (1994). Deciphering the Signs of God: A Phenomenological Approach to Islam. State University of New York Press. ISBN 978-0791419823.
General references
[edit]- Coulon, C., et al. (1988). Charisma and Brotherhood in African Islam. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-822723-X.
- Meri, J.W. (1999) Aspects of Baraka (Blessings) and Ritual Devotion among Medieval Muslims and Jews. Medieval Encounters. 5, pp. 46–69.
- Takim, L. N. (2006). The Heirs of the Prophet: Charisma And Religious Authority in Shi'ite Islam. SUNY Press. ISBN 0791481913.
- Werbner, P., et al. (1998). Embodying Charisma: Modernity, Locality and Performance of Emotion in Sufi Cults. Routledge. ISBN 1134746938.
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