Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
Morning Barakah in Islam refers to the Prophet’s Du`a for blessings in the early morning. Scholars explain that it starts right after Fajr and ends when the sun rises and Duha begins, making it the most blessed time for work and productivity.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
The Prophet’s Du`a for Morning Barakah
Your question shows a genuine desire to live according to the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). I pray Allah helps you achieve this noble goal.
Let’s reflect on the hadith you mentioned. Sakhr ibn Wada`ah Al-Ghamidi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“O Allah, bless my Ummah in their early morning ventures.” (Reported by Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, and others)
This supplication shows the Prophet’s deep care for his community. By asking Allah to bless morning efforts, he stresses the importance of starting the day purposefully. Early morning is a special time for renewal and productivity when blessings can be sought with focus.
How the Companions Applied the Morning Blessing
Sakhr, the narrator, illustrates how this teaching was lived out. He noted that the Prophet (peace be upon him) often sent military expeditions at dawn to gain Allah’s blessings.
Inspired by this, Sakhr, a merchant, began sending out his trade caravans early in the morning. His success serves as a reminder of how following the Sunnah and using the blessings of the early morning can lead to both material and spiritual rewards.
Defining the Early Morning Barakah Time
The term “early morning” in the hadith refers to the time right after true dawn and the Fajr prayer, lasting until the sun rises and warmth spreads, marking the start of Duha time.
Imam At-Tabari explains that the Arabic word ibkar (early rising) comes from Bakarah, meaning to begin early. It signifies the period between dawn’s first light and Duha, a time known for productivity.
In the Prophet’s time, early morning was when life began. People started their daily tasks in trade, travel, and other activities. This time has remained vital, seen as ideal for focus and productivity. By asking for blessings during these hours, the Prophet (peace be upon him) highlighted their unique potential.
The Wisdom behind Morning Productivity
Ibn Batal, a well-known scholar, noted that while the Prophet’s prayer doesn’t mean other times lack blessings, it shows the unique energy of early morning, making it a prime time for meaningful efforts.
This prayer is more than a statement; it’s an invitation. It calls the Ummah to align their daily activities with divine blessings by embracing the early morning. The freshness of dawn, peak focus, and new beginnings create perfect conditions to start tasks intentionally, unlocking worldly success and spiritual Barakah.
I encourage you to take full advantage of this sacred time. Shape your day around the blessings of early morning. Use this period to set a positive tone for all that follows.
May Allah guide your efforts, shower His blessings upon you, and grant you success in this world and the Hereafter as you strive to follow the teachings of His beloved Messenger (peace be upon him).
Almighty Allah knows best.