14 Ways to Increase Your Rizq (Provisions) & Put Barakah (Blessings) in Your Wealth in Tough Times

Another action of the heart, showing gratitude is one of the most beloved forms of worship, and draws us closer to Him.

“Therefore, remember Me (by praying, glorifying). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless favors on you) and never be ungrateful to Me.” (Qur’an, 2:152)

Try journaling or using one of the many gratitude apps, to start building this habit.

One of the simplest ways we can increase our rizq is through seeking forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings.

Nuh (as) instructed his people to seek Allah’s forgiveness, assuring them that as a result He would bestow material blessings upon them.

Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned istighfar (seeking forgiveness) amongst the most effective adhkar that lead to an increase in provision and warding off hardship.

Having belief in Allah and taqwa in general, is one of the causes for His Bounty to be bestowed upon a person. He says,

“And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied [the messengers], so We seized them for what they were earning.” (Qur’an 7:96)

The natural consequence of being God-conscious and seeking forgiveness is to abandon sins. One of the consequences of our sins is that they deprive us of provision in the worldly life, as the Prophet (saw) said: “A man is deprived of provision because of the sins that he commits.” (Ibn Majah)

When we face difficulties in life, be it, our interpersonal relationships, in our work or home life, we should reflect on our actions and consider where we are falling short.

“Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allah, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself…” (Qur’an, 4:79)

It is unsurprising that just as sins cause provision to be blocked, by devoting ourselves to Allah, His worship and servitude, the financial and psychological hardships we face will be uplifted.

He (saw) also told us that “…nothing increases one’s lifespan except good deeds.” (at-Tirmidhi)

We know that the first deed we will be asked about on the Day of Judgement will be our prayers; if they are in order, then the rest of our deeds will be.

In a hadith qudsi, “Allah the Exalted says: ‘O Son of Adam, do not be heedless of praying 4 rakʿahs for Me in the beginning of your day and (as a result) I shall be your sufficiency at its end.’” (Abu Dawud)

One of the means Allah gave us to attain provision is to ask for His Favours and Bounty, having complete conviction that He is the Sustainer and Provider, and is the only One we should ask and whose Aid we should seek.

He (saw) would also pray for contentment in what Allah had given him: “O Allah, make me content with what You have provided for me, bless me in it, an appoint good for me in everything I do not have.” (ad-Dawat al-Kabir)

Allah also has given us a means to increase our provision through our relationships with the rest of His creation. This is another opportunity to demonstrate our taqwa and devotion to Him practically in our lives. We do not choose our relatives, and we can often find we are tested by those closest to us. But by keeping the ties of kinship, our provision can be increased.

“Whoever would like his provision to be abundant and his lifespan to be extended, let him uphold his ties of kinship.” (Bukhari)

One of the other ways we can increase our provision, through our relations with people is by supporting those in need.

“Seek out the vulnerable for me, for you are only given provision and divine support due to your care for the vulnerable.” (Abu Dawud)

We know that the poor and destitute in this life, will enter Paradise before the wealthy of the ummah, and we are encouraged frequently in the Qur’an and hadith to relieve the hardship of those in worse circumstances than ourselves.

We have been assured by the Prophet (saw) that “Charity does not decrease wealth.” (Muslim), rather it brings blessings and purifies your wealth. Helping others will not only bring with it spiritual rewards, but also will make you feel uplifted and positive.

You should ensure your income is obtained in a halal way, per the guidelines of Islam, and is both ethical and moral. This is not only in terms of the way you earn a living, but also whom you work for, and how it is sourced.

The Prophet (saw) explained the importance of conducting ourselves with integrity and transparency when it comes to business. “The two parties of a transaction have the right (to annul the contract) as long as they do not separate (from each other). So, if they were truthful (to one another), and honest in explaining (the defects of an item), then they will be blessed in their transaction. But, if they lied, and hid (the defects of an item) then the blessings of their transaction are destroyed.” (Muslim)

The companion, Ibn Abbas (ra) warned of the consequences of taking prohibited means: “There is no believer or sinner but that Allah Almighty has decreed his provision from the lawful. If he is patient until it comes to him, Allah will give it to him. If he becomes anxious and consumes something from the unlawful, Allah will decrease his provision from the lawful.” (Hilyat al-Awliya)

We can look at ways to increase our income and save pennies, but we can also consider how to bring barakah back into our homes. Eating together has both spiritual and social benefits. We should encourage our family and friends to share our meals together, with our spouses or children, to bring barakah into our homes.

"Eat together and do not eat separately, as there is more barakah when eating in a group.” (Ibn Majah)

The Prophet (saw) explained that when we eat together, the blessing in the food increases and many more mouths can be fed than we may anticipate.

“The food of one person suffices for two, the food of two persons suffices for four persons, and the food of four persons suffices for eight persons.” (Muslim)

Another means to increase the blessings in our home, is ensuring we give greetings of peace when we enter.

The Prophet (saw) described such a person as being in the care and protection of Allah. Subsequently, their needs will be met and they will receive their provision in this life, and they are promised Paradise in the next.