Bay´ah in the light of Quran and Hadith

The presentation is about Bay´ah or the oath of allegiance in Islam.

1. Bay´ah in the light of Quran and Hadith
TC, 11-12 April 2015
Sweden Muslim Society (SMS), Sweden
Abdul Halim

2. Bay´ah
Bay‘ah (Arabic: ة‎عَة‎يْعَبَة‎, literally a "sale" or a
"commercial transaction"),
 Islamic terminology, is an oath of allegiance to
a leader.
“Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their
properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the
cause of Allah , so they kill and are killed……. So rejoice in your transaction
which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.”
Surat At-Tawbah 9:111

3. Why Bay´ah is important?
Certainly was Allah pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you,
[O Muhammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent
down tranquillity upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest. Surat
Al-Fat 48:18
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The Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,
“Whoever dies and did not take an oath of allegiance (to a Muslim leader) has died
a death of jahiliyah (ignorance).” [Bukhari, Muslim]

4. Requirements of Bai‘ah
Quality Over Quantity: ”Allah has already given you victory in many regions and
[even] on the day of Hunayn, when your great number pleased you, but it did not avail you at all,
and the earth was confining for you with its vastness; then you turned back, fleeing.” Surat At-
Tawbah (9:25)
Bai’ah and Shari’ah :To fulfill a
bai’ah is a must (wajib) and to violate it is a sin (ma’asia).
Loyalty And Shari’ah Law: ”O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the
Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah
and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best
in result.” Surat An-Nis (4:59)
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It is narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (s), said: Those who obey me obey Allah, the
Almighty. Those who disobey me disobey Allah, the Almighty. Those who obey my leader obey me
and those who disobey my leader disobey me

5. Requirements of Bai‘ah
Loyalty to islamic leader
Loyalty includes obedience to legitimate orders and responsiveness to every request.
Loyalty is a must so long as it is not sinful or an occasion of sin.
Loyalty is bidirectional
Loyalty to Rasul (SAW) vs Loyalty to Islamic Leader
Loyalty to Rasul (SAW) is unconditional, but loyalty to islamic leader is
conditional only for agreed matter based on Quran and Sunnah
Loyalty is a concept

6. The Principles of Bai’ah
Understanding
Sincerity
Worship Through Action (Ibadah)
Jihad
Sacrifice
Obedience
Perseverance
Integrity
Brotherhood
Trust

7. The Principles of Bai’ah
Understanding
Clear understanding that the philosophy of life, or ideology of the Islamic
Movement is a purely Islamic ideology.

Islam is a complete system and covers all aspects of life.
 The Qur’an and the sunnah of the Prophet (s), are the ultimate sources of
reference for all Muslims.
 The opinions of a leader or his deputies concerning matters of public welfare
(maslaha mursalah) can be acceptable if they are not in conflict with the principles
of Islamic shari’ah.
The sayings of any person other than the Prophet (s), may be either accepted or
rejected on its merits.
Differences of opinion in minor matters of law or details of regulations should not
be a reason for causing disunity in the Muslim community.

8. The Principles of Bai’ah
Understanding
Sincerity
Worship Through Action (Ibadah)
Jihad
Sacrifice
Obedience
Perseverance
Integrity
Brotherhood
Trust

9. To Whom We should give Bay´ah
Bay’ah can only be given to the leader of the Muslims, and bay’ah is given by the
decision makers – i.e., the scholars and people of virtue and status.
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives his oath
of allegiance to a leader and gives him his hand and his heart, let him obey him as
much as he can.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1844)

10. How should we give bay´ah
 ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “No, by Allaah, the hand of the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never touched the
hand of any (non-mahram) woman. Rather he would accept their allegiance (bay’ah)
in words only.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5288; Muslim, 1866)
Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you, [O Muhammad] - they are actually
pledging allegiance to Allah . The hand of Allah is over their hands. So he who
breaks his word only breaks it to the detriment of himself. And he who fulfills that
which he has promised Allah - He will give him a great reward. (Al-Fat 48:18)
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11. How should we give bay´ah
Auf Ibne Maalik Ash-ja-ee (Radhiyallahu Anhu) said: We were with Nabi Sallallaahu alayhi
wasallam, seven, eight or -nine (of us), when he said:
'Will you not make baiyat (pledge) to the Rasul of Allah?'
We stretched our hands and enquired: On what shall we make baiyat to you, O Rasul of Allah?
He said.
'That you make the Ibaadat of Allah,- that you associate nothing with Him,- that you perform the
five Salaat; that you hear and obey."
(Muslim, Abu Daawood, Nisaai)
Bukhari narrated from junadah ibn Abi Umaiyah who said that Ubadah ibn Shamit said: ”The
Prophet (s) called us, and we gave bai’ah to him. He asked us to promise, among other things,
to obey in specific matters, whether we like it or not, and whether in happiness or hardship,
and not to give priority to ourselves, and not to go against the orders of authority unless we
see that they are clearly against Allah’s rules and we have clear witness.”

12. How should we give bay´ah
O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will
not associate anything with Allah , nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful
sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a
slander they have invented between their arms and legs, nor will they disobey you
in what is right - then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah .
Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
( Al-Mumta anah 60:12)
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13. Bay´ah al Aqaba
First Pledge of ‘Aqaba, included the following:
We shall not associate anyone with Allah (The One God): whether in worship, His attributes,
His power or His authority.
We shall not indulge in adultery, fornication, and practice or propagate any other indecency.
We shall not steal or rob anyone’s property in any manner or under any pretense.
We shall not practice the custom of killing children.
We shall not falsely accuse or backbite anyone.
We shall not disobey you in good deeds and just cause.
We shall always follow you, be it hard or easy, to our liking or not, and we shall act according
to your commands. We shall follow and obey your decisions even if it be against ourselves
and in favor of others.
We shall not participate in opposing the deserving persons of authority or positions.
We shall support the truth and justice and stand firm under all circumstances. In matters of
Allah’s religion, we shall not be afraid for our name, disrepute, disgrace, or blame.
After concluding this pledge, the prophet (pbuh) said: “If you fully comply with these
promises, you will have the right to paradise; but if you fault, you will not have the right to
paradise. Allah may punish you or He may forgive you.”