Praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds, and blessings and peace of Allah upon His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad ﷺ, his family, and all his Companions.
What is Baraka?
Baraka originates from Allah Almighty. This Baraka is capable of being transmitted to human beings, especially the Prophets عليهم السلام, and through them to the holy persons and objects. The Egyptian scholar Imam Sha'rawidefined “Baraka” as the phenomenon where “you get something more than expected from something or someone.”
Generally speaking, the Islamic Prophets عليهم السلام, and the Ambiya-e-Mursaleen Muhammed Mustafa ﷺ, and through them, the Sahaba, the Tabiieen, Taba-Tabiieen, the Awliya-Allah, and holy persons are credited with Baraka. Great Sufi Shaykhs or Awliya possess a Baraka which is transmitted to others and which may remain associated with their tombs or shrines.
A Muslim can also ask Allah Almighty through relics that belonged to pious people, and may even use amulets with verses from the Qur'an on them as a means of asking Allah Almighty for protection from evil. It is not the means that provides protection, but Allah, The Almighty. To seek Tabarruk is permissible (mubah) according to all Muslims. None denies it — except those who deviate from the Sunnah and who harbor the disease of ignorance and suspicion in their heart.
Qur'anic References
In the various ayahs of the Holy Qur'an itself, we read about blessings and blessedness. For example, in verses 6:92, 6:155, 7:94, the Holy Qur'an itself is called a Blessed Scripture.
“Indeed the first house that was appointed as a place of worship for mankind, is the one at Makkah (the Holy Ka'aba), blessed and a guidance to the whole world.”
“The glass is as if it were a star shining like a pearl, kindled by the blessed olive tree, neither of the East nor of the west.”
Example: Sayiduna Zakariyyah عليه السلام
When Sayiduna Zakariyyah عليه السلام saw that the Mihrab of Sayidatuna Maryam عليها السلام was unique and sacred in that miracles occurred there, he decided to use this same place to pray to Allah Almighty for a child. As a result, Allah bestowed him Sayiduna Yahya عليه السلامdespite his and his wife's old age.
— Qur'an, 3:36-41
Divine References to Relics
“And remember when they were commanded, 'Reside in this township and eat whatever you wish in it, and say 'Sins are forgiven' and enter the gate prostrating — We will forgive you your sins; We shall soon bestow more upon the virtuous.'”
This verse commands the respect of Baitul-Muqaddas (which is the resting area of the Prophets), ordering the Bani Israel to enter it making Sajda. It is also known from this verse that repentance (Tauba) is quickly accepted in sacred places.
Sayiduna Ayub عليه السلام's Miracle
“We said to him, 'Strike the earth with your foot; this cool spring is for bathing and drinking.'”
A spring gushed forth when he struck the earth — this was a miracle. He complied with the order and water from the spring gushed forth. He took a bath with the water and got cured of his disease.
The Ka'ba and Sayiduna Ibrahim عليه السلام's Station
“And remember when We made this House (at Makkah) a recourse for mankind and a sanctuary; and take the place where Ibrahim stood, as your place of prayer; and We imposed a duty upon Ibrahim and Ismail, to fully purify My house for those who go around it, and those who stay in it (for worship), and those who bow down and prostrate themselves.”
For a stone that has been related to Sayiduna Ibrahim عليه السلام, for that stone to become part of a verse of the Holy Qur'an and also a spot for the performance of Salaah, and for it to be protected for so many centuries is the proof of the excellence of that stone — that those objects which are associated to the beloved servants of Almighty Allah become blessed and religious relics. They should be respected and also preserved.