What Does Barakallahoufik Mean?

Published on 03/02/2023
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Introduction

Barakallahoufik is an expression in the Arabic language, often heard within the Muslim community, in every area of the world. Pronounced as a way of giving thanks in Arab culture, or to express one's gratitude to someone, it continues to be considered the most used formula of politeness by people of Arab-Muslim culture, although chokran (thank you) is more appropriate, as are other expressions depending on the country of origin. So what does it really mean, and how does one reply to it? We are going to take a closer look at the true spelling of this word in Arabic and in French, as well as its explanation, in this article.

Translation and meaning of barakallahoufik in Arabic 

Barakallahoufik (or "fiki" for a girl) is not a single word, contrary to what one might believe. It is rather a complete Arabic sentence that contains the verb "baraka," the subject "Allah," and the particle "fi" followed by the complement "ka" (in the masculine) or "ki" in the feminine. This sentence can be translated as:

"May Allah spread His Blessings upon you"! or again "May Allah bless you"!

In the book "Une approche du Coran par la grammaire et le lexique" published by AlBouraq editions, the word "baraka" means: to bless, to apply oneself assiduously to, to place one's beneficial presence upon someone or something.

It is a very important supplication to express that one wishes good to a person, or also to prevent the person we are looking at, or in whom we admire a blessing, from being struck by the evil eye. 

How to write and pronounce barakallahou-fik?

Even if these words are pronounced in several ways depending on the person's level of knowledge of Arabic, or at least their knowledge about this expression, barakallahu fik is written in Arabic as follows: بارك الله فيك.

It is therefore fitting to respect the separation of the words in this sentence when the latter is transcribed phonetically or written in French like this:

Barak Allaho oufik 

This for several logical reasons:

  • the oral expression of this formula will thus be preserved because the words will be pronounced separately, and therefore better articulated
  • the Name of Allah will be respected at its true value both in writing and orally in this sentence, and not masked within a contraction (and therefore distortion) of several distinct words
  • the person will avoid transforming the meaning of the words by masking certain long vowels that fall by the wayside when the sentence is written in a compressed manner.

  The quality of the pronunciation, as we can see, depends greatly on the way of writing and learning this formula of politeness. Besides, is it really one? What does it mean?

Baraka Lahou fik is in reality a supplication. As we saw previously in another article that we invite you to read here, the formulas of politeness in Islam have more value since they are requests for blessings (barakallahou -fik) or requests for peace when the salam is given (assalamou alaikoum), or of mercy (yarhamoukoum Allah), and so on.

When a Muslim is led to thank or greet, for example, he implores through his du'a (supplication) his Lord to preserve his neighbour and to fill him with peace and with all positive things.   

How to reply to barakallah ufik?

In response to this supplication, Islam recommends that the Muslim man and woman do the same for the author of the request. God's blessing is solicited at every possible moment, so that the community, man, woman and child belonging to it, lives an ever greater experience of brotherhood. This is what the prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, applied himself to teaching the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all. It is also what the books of the Sunnah reveal to us and what the Muslims must firmly and sincerely revive in their intentions and their acts.

One therefore replies as follows to a man who says to us "Barak Allahou fika!":

_ Wa fika barak Allahu! Which means: And may you, (you too), be blessed!  

One replies as follows to a woman who says to us "barak allahu fiki"!:

_ Wa fiki barak Allahu!

You are now wondering when to bless someone in Islam? That is what we are going to see.

When to say barakallahou fik?

The opportune moments to solicit the graces of our Lord upon human beings and the believers are various:

  • when one wishes good to a person for a favour 
  • at a wedding, to congratulate those who are getting married, by calling the blessings of Allah upon their couple and their home (this will be covered in another article in sha Allah)
  • when one has seen something one liked in someone, we wish for them the blessings of Allah upon their blessing (their body, their physical or material possessions...) thus: Allahouma barek اللهم بارك !

In a hadith the prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, tells us: The Prophet (salallahu ‘layahi wasalam) said:
« Indeed, the evil eye is a truth. »
(Al-Bukhârî and Muslim)

In which surah are the words barak Allahu fik found?

The request for the blessing of Allah is found in the Quran on many occasions, expressed in different ways:

Conclusion

It is an upbringing that we must teach our children, and that we must apply to ourselves, in order to live an experience of faith and appeasement of the soul whose fruits will be commensurate with our sincerity for our neighbour. Products of our sincere intention, hoping for the best for others, the requests for Allah to bless the believers come back to us. How can one not perpetuate this sunna, authenticated by all the opinions of the different schools of Islamic jurisprudence? By continuing to invoke God for one's neighbour, we keep trust in Him and in our human relationships since we recognize his sure value. You now know more about this supplication and you will remember that it is far more than a simple thank you.

Do not forget to share this article around you if it has helped you to better understand what barak Allahu fik means, and let us pray for one another.