Is it permissible to seek blessing (tabarruk)?

Tabarruk means seeking blessing or barakah. Al-Raghib al-Asfahani explains: “Barakah indicates the presence of divine goodness in something.” Ibn Manzur says: “Barakah means growth and increase. Tabarruk is to pray for blessing for a person or something else.” [1]

Nothing is inherently blessed by itself. Only Allah grants barakah. Just as Allah has made certain times and places blessed, He bestows barakah upon whomever He wills among His servants.

It is permitted to seek blessing (tabarruk) by touching, kissing, or wiping with the hair, utensils, or clothing of the Prophet (ﷺ). The Companions did this in the presence of the Prophet (ﷺ), and he did not object to it. This is because the Prophet’s (ﷺ) body, clothing, and items he used are considered blessed. There is no disagreement among scholars on this matter. [2][3]

In a narration from Umm Atiyyah, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gave a garment to the women washing his daughter and said:

أَشْعِرْنَهَا إيَّاهُ

“Wrap her in this.” [4] The main purpose of wrapping her was to seek blessing (tabarruk) from it. [5]

In a narration from Asma bint Abu Bakr:

هَذِهِ جُبَّةُ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، كَانَتْ عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ حَتَّى قُبِضَتْ، فَلَمَّا قُبِضَتْ قَبَضْتُهَا، وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَلْبَسُهَا، فَنَحْنُ نَغْسِلُهَا لِلْمَرْضَى يُسْتَشْفَى بِهَا

“This is the cloak of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). It was with Aisha until she passed away, then I took it. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to wear it, and we would wash it and give its water to the sick for healing.” [6]

This relates to seeking blessing from things connected to the Prophet (ﷺ). As for righteous people, the above evidence also includes seeking blessing from their clothing, utensils, etc. This view is supported by Imam Nawawi, Ibn Hajar, and other hadith scholars. [7]

Imam Nawawi, commenting on the hadith about seeking healing with the Prophet’s (ﷺ) cloak, said: “This hadith is evidence that seeking blessing from the clothing and similar items of righteous people is recommended (mustahabb).” [8]

In conclusion, it is permitted to seek blessing (tabarruk) from the clothing, utensils, and similar items of the Prophet (ﷺ) and righteous people.

Islamkul Imankululy,

Specialist of the Sharia and Fatwa Department,

Shymkent city, Muftiate of Kazakhstan.

• [1] Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Sahih Muslim, 15/82. Fath al-Bari, 3/144.

• [2] Ali Jum’a, Fatawa al-Nisa, 120-128.

• [3] https://aliftaa.jo/Question2.aspx?QuestionId=2264#.YXe7_BpByUk

• [4] Bukhari, No. 1254.

• [5] Al-Siraj al-Wahhaj fi Kashf Matālib Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, 2/251.

• [6] Muslim, No. 2069.

• [7] Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Sahih Muslim, 14/44, 124, 194. Fath al-Bari, 10/198.

• [8] Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Sahih Muslim, 14/44.