Barak

The first consonantal spelling, B-R-K (Arabic and Hebrew: Bārak), is most commonly associated in Arabic with the meaning “blessed” as well as the meanings “to make to kneel down, to stoop,” and “to cower”. In Hebrew, it can be traced from Phoenecian, Ugaritic, Aramaic, Akkadian, and Classical Arabic roots having the meanings, “knee,” kneel, prostrate, worship, bless, be blessed, and “boon” as well as (camel’s, human) “chest” and sometimes “curse” or “blaspheme.” The Qur’an, hadith, saints, prophets, Muhammad, and his descendants are all authoritative sources of Baraka. Through these sources, one may achieve Baraka by three methods: 1) visitation of saints and holy shrines charged with Baraka, 2) attachment to the chain of spiritual masters through the Khirqa, and 3) emulation of the inner Sunnah.