Bayat in Islam | Oath of Allegiance | Bayat Meaning
Bayat is the Arabic word for oath of allegiance. It is derived from the word Baee بیع. Its literal meaning is “trade or barter”. For example, two people make a pact where one is the receiver of a product he desires, and the other is its giver who gets money or another product in its return. This type of pledge and trade is called Baee.
Bayat is also a trade with Allah. In this trade, one pledges to give Him his own self and everything he owns in exchange for His closeness though everything belongs to Him in reality. A person who did not trade how he could have Divine closeness? It is necessary to pledge allegiance to Prophet Mohammad. However, after Prophet Mohammad, one must pledge allegiance to his Companion and perfect Saints.
Different Forms of guidance
Most importantly, returning to Almighty is the core objective of all exoteric and esoteric deeds and prayers. For the accomplishment of this objective, He has guided human being. He blessed us two sources of guidance:
- Quran
- Sunna
Therefore, whosoever denies or follows half-heartedly cannot attain anything from the religion. Rather this attitude will entangle him in the unresolved religious and worldly affairs. Holy Prophet is the practical explanation of the Quran and the role model of all the religious maters. Therefore, his esoteric and exoteric deeds are beacon in the darkness for the umma.
لَقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِىۡ رَسُوۡلِ اللّٰهِ اُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَنۡ كَانَ يَرۡجُوا اللّٰهَ وَالۡيَوۡمَ الۡاٰخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللّٰهَ كَثِيۡرًا ؕ
Meaning: Certainly! In Allah’s Messenger there is for you a most perfect and beautiful model (of physical and spiritual life. (Al-Ahzab: 33)
Moreover, Quran says:
قُلۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ تُحِبُّوۡنَ اللّٰهَ فَاتَّبِعُوۡنِىۡ يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ اللّٰهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَـكُمۡ ذُنُوۡبَكُمۡؕ وَاللّٰهُ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ
Meaning: O Beloved Prophet! Tell them, if you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will also love you. (Al-e-Imran: 31)
Therefore, it is the belief of every Muslim that obedience to the Prophet is the faith. Such obedience guarantees Divine closeness.
What is Sunna?
Sunna is every action of Prophet Mohammad. His ability to perceive, behaviour, thoughts, morality and personality is a role model status for the umma. In the nutshell, his every act is for the guidance and betterment of the religious and worldly life of umma. Moreover, one who denies or objects his actions is a as non-believer. Thus, he will be disgraced in this world and the hereafter.
Denier will not go to Heaven
The Holy Prophet said:
Everyone in my umma will go to heaven, except those who deny.
The Companions asked: Who denied?
The Holy Prophet said: Those who obeyed me will go to heaven and those who disobeyed me, they had denied. The act against my Sunna is disobedience.”
On another occasion, Prophet Mohammad said:
He who evoked my Sunna, in fact he loved me. Therefore, he will be with me in heaven on the day of judgment
Love of Sunna is in fact love of Prophet Mohammad
Sahl al-Tustari said:
Love for the Holy Quran is the sign of love with Almighty Allah. Moreover, the love for Holy Prophet is sign of love for Quran and Allah. In addition, the love of Sunna is the indication of love for Prophet Mohammad.
Another source of guidance along with Sunna is the Quran. In fact, the Holy Quran is a complete code of life, collection of all dos and dont’s. Basically, it is a witness of Sunna, thus, conveys them to the umma. Therefore, it becomes obligatory for the umma to follow the Sunna verified by the Quran. As, on the one hand, Allah instructs to do something and on other hand, it is Sunna. Moreover, Allah has instructed to follow those Sunna in Quran, which He considered umma must follow them. Moreover, nobody should object to them and must follow them as Allah’s instructions.
Categories of Sunna
Fath al-Bari, the exegesis of Sahi Bukhari, categorizes Sunna as under:
Sunnan al-Hudda (Essential Sunna)
Sunnan al-Zawaid (Additional Sunna)
Sunnan-al-Huda (essential Sunna):
It is the collection of Sunna associated with the straight path. Moreover, either its relinquisher excludes from Islam or he can never reach the exalted stations of faith. In fact, these Sunna include the basic pillars of Islam, belief in Oneness and prayers (Salat), zakat, hajj and truth. Furthermore, it includes fulfilling the promise, avoiding all the forbidden acts and practicing all the basic principles of religion etc. These Sunna are accountable. Therefore, the relinquisher of these Sunna will be questioned on the Day of Judgment. Undoubtedly, its denier is the denier of the Holy Prophet and his denier is indeed the denier of Allah. In fact, Sunnan-al-Huda include all Sunna related to the Quran in any way.
Sunnan-Al-Zawaid (Additional Sunna):
It is the collection of Sunna associated with routine activities of the Holy Prophet. For example, decorum of the Prophet’s Assembly, his style of conversation, his eating habits etc. These Sunna are Musteheb (Act has reward for doing but no punishment for not doing). Hence, following these Sunna shows Ishq e Haqiqi for the Holy Prophet. A person is not accountable for not following these Sunna.
Bayat in the Quran and Sunna
Among the essentials of the religion, bayat has utmost importance. Therefore, the Quran and all the books of Hadiths emphasis on it. In the beginning of Islam, it was compulsory to take oath on the sacred hand of Prophet Mohammad before following the pillars of Islam. This means that believing in the Prophet and verbally reciting Islamic creed do not guarantee to be a Muslim. Therefore, in spite of faith and Islamic creed, a person need to take bayat to enter Islam. Consequently, ‘bayat’ became one of the essentials to enter Islam like Islamic creed and faith.
None of the orders of Allah and His Prophet is without wisdom. Rather, there is a hidden treasure of guidance and wisdom for the umma in every single order. Therefore, it is evident that bayat has assumed immense importance since start of Islam. Moreover, it is clear that no one can achieve perfect faith without taking bayat.
Furthermore, there is no doubt that the Holy Prophet made it compulsory as per Allah’s order. As the Quran bears witness to it in these words:
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَی ﴿۳﴾ إِنْ هُوَ إِلاّ وَحْيٌ يُوحَی
Meaning: “He does not speak out of his (own) desire. His speech is nothing but outright revelation, which is sent to him.” (Al-Najm: 3-4)
How can any of his act be of his own choice? Therefore, it is definitely according to the revelation of Allah.
Bayat is an Essential Sunna
The oath of allegiance is Allah’s order. If it had been compulsory then the Prophet would not have taken bayat from the people.
Moreover, the oath of allegiance is ‘Essential Sunna’ as Sunna proves it and Quran has endorsed it. In this way, its relinquisher is the denier of Islam.
Bayat to the Prophet is like oath to Allah
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یُبَایِعُوۡنَکَ اِنَّمَا یُبَایِعُوۡنَ اللّٰہَ ؕ یَدُ اللّٰہِ فَوۡقَ اَیۡدِیۡہِمۡ ۚ فَمَنۡ نَّکَثَفَاِنَّمَا یَنۡکُثُ عَلٰی نَفۡسِہٖ ۚ وَ مَنۡ اَوۡفٰی بِمَا عٰہَدَ عَلَیۡہُ اللّٰہَ فَسَیُؤۡتِیۡہِ اَجۡرًا عَظِیۡمًا
Meaning: (O’ Beloved!) Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you, in fact pledge allegiance to Allah. Allah’s hand is over their hands (in the form of your hand). Then whoever breaks his pledge breaks it only to his own harm. But he who fulfils what he has promised to Allah, He will bless him with immense reward. (Al-Fath:10)
This verse shows the exalted station of Prophet Mohammad. Moreover, this shows that his action is in fact the act of Allah. Keeping the relation with him is in fact the relation with Allah. Swearing the oath of allegiance with him is the pledge with Allah as mentioned in verse. Thus, it also shows the significance of bayat.
Bayat is the Sunna of the Prophet as well as Allah
Bayat is not only the Sunna of Prophet but is the Sunna of Allah as well.
In the whole Quran Allah has not associated any component of worship with him except Darood-e-Pak. He says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ؕ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ اٰمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Meaning: “Surely Allah and (all) His angels invoke salutation (Darood) and blessings on the Holy Prophet. O Believers! You (also) invoke salutation upon him. And salute him with a worthy salutation of peace abundantly (and fervently).” (Al-Ahzab-56)
Paying salutations to the Prophet Mohammad is the Sunna of Allah. But this is not Sunna of the Prophet as Holy Prophet does not invoke blessings for himself. Rest of the devotions are the practice of the Holy Prophet but not of Allah. Therefore, bayat is the only component that is the Sunnah of the Prophet as well as the Allah.
Allah prohibits to break Bayat
Allah says in Quran;
وَاَوۡفُوۡا بِعَہۡدِ اللّٰہِ اِذَاعٰہَدۡتُّمۡ وَ لَاتَنۡقُضُوا الۡاَیۡمَانَ بَعۡدَ تَوۡکِیۡدِہَا وَ قَدۡ جَعَلۡتُمُ اللّٰہَ عَلَیۡکُمۡ کَفِیۡلًا
Meaning: And always fulfil the pledge of Allah when you have made it. And do not break oaths after making them firm. (An-Nahl-91)
وَأَوْفُواْ بِالْعَهْدِ ۚ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْؤُولاً
Meaning: And always fulfil the promise. No doubt, the promise will be questioned about. (Bani Israil-34)
Bayat is Allah’s Will and Tranquility for Believers. It is also a source of achieving Allah’s will. Moreover, it blesses believers (Mumin) with peace and tranquility. As Allah says in Surah Fatah verse no.18:
لَقَدۡرَضِیَ اللّٰہُ عَنِ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ اِذۡ یُبَایِعُوۡنَکَ تَحۡتَ الشَّجَرَۃِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِہِمۡ فَاَنۡزَلَ السَّکِیۡنَۃَ عَلَیۡہِمۡ
Meaning: Surely Allah was well pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you under the tree (at Al-Hudaybiya). So, Allah knows (the passion of truth and fidelity) that permeated their inwards and descended an exceptional calmness and tranquility. And awarded them the forthcoming victory (of Khaybar). (Al-Fath-18)
In addition to the Quran, a large number of authentic books of Hadiths also endorse the importance bayat.
Bayat of al-Aqaba
In the beginning of Islam, some delegations came from Madina to Makkah. Then, the Holy Prophet invited them to Islam. Some people accepted the invitation in first year. Therefore, their bayat was ‘first pledge at al-Aqabah’ (Bayat-e-Aqabah Oola). Moreover, the bayat taken in the next year was ‘the second pledge at al-Aqabah’ (Bayat-e-Aqabah Sani).
Ka’ab bin Malik said:
“The night came when Prophet Mohammad had promised to meet. We slept earlier to wake up early. So, we woke up although people were deep asleep. Furthermore, we gathered in the valley of Uqba. Moreover, nobody was accompanying the Prophet. The Prophet Mohammad preached my companions and invited them to Islam. In addition, he recited the Holy Quran. After hearing this, everyone embraced Islam and requested for bayat on the hand of the Prophet. He said, “Select twelve representatives out of your nation.” We took out one representative from each group. Then everyone took bayat on the hand of the Holy Prophet sall’Allahu alayhi wa’alihi wasallam.” (Bukhari)
Types of Bayat / al-Bayah
Bayat of Entering Islam (Bayat-e-Islam):
At the time of acceptance of Islam, it was necessary for the believers to swear oath of allegiance. Therefore, it was imperative to swear of bayat on sacred the hand of the Holy Prophet. Such sort of oath is called ‘Oath of Allegiance for entering Islam’ or ‘Bayat-e-Islam.
Bayat of Caliphate (Bayat-e-Khilafat):
Muslims take this bayat on the hand of Muslim caliph. This is the bayat to accept particular person as a caliph or ruler. This bayat, along with the bayat of repentance, were sworn together till the time of Hazrat Imam Hassan (ra) but later on, they were separated.
Bayat of Jihad (Bayat-e-Jihad):
It is a pledge to fight against enemy of Islam. Commanders take bayat from all men prepared to fight a war.
Bayat of entering Islam relinquished
The tradition of taking ‘oath of entering Islam’ relinquished at the time of Rashidun Caliphate. In fact, at that time, caliphate was expanding. Therefore, millions of people started to accept Islam. It also include those people who were afraid of power of Islam. Consequently, it was difficult to differentiate between faithful and feared ones. However, the tradition of taking bayat of caliphate remained implemented. Therefore, Muslims used to swear bayat of caliphate on the hand of caliph. In fact, the representatives of different tribes used to come for this bayat on the behalf of their tribes.
Bayat for repentance and piety (Bayat e Tauba-o-Taqwa):
It is bayat to follow sharia after repentance on sins in order to gain closeness of Allah. Moreover, the spiritual journey of a person starts after this bayat. During the era of the Holy Prophet, the bayat of repentance and piety was included in bayat of entering Islam. However, many Hadiths bear witness that believers (Momineen) also used to swear this bayat separately.
In the present era, Muslim take the aforementioned bayat on the hand of a Murshid. In fact, it is obligatory for closeness of Allah.
Bayat of listening and following (Bayat-e-Samaa-o-Ta’at):
It is the pledge of listening and following the religious Leader (Imam), caliph or a Murshid. Moreover, several Hadiths certify this bayat.
Bayat-e-Tasawuf (The Mystical Bayat):
Since beginning of Islam, Saints upheld the tradition of bayat. Now, it has become the ‘Mystical Oath’. In fact, this is submission of disciple to Murshid for purification of innerself and sanctity of his soul. Thus, esoteric journey of a disciple starts. Ultimately, he achieves closeness of Allah.
Bayat of repentance and piety was part of Oath of Caliphate
As the Rashidun Caliphs, were religious scholar as well as spiritual guides for the public. Therefore, Bayat for repentance and piety was taken as part of ‘oath of caliphate’. The caliph assisted them outwardly as well as spiritually as Prophet Mohammad did. Moreover, the Rashidun Caliphate had absolute beneficence, capability and authority of the Holy Prophet. Therefore, they fulfilled exoteric and esoteric duties altogether. Although, the bayat taken on their hands had discrimination. For example, the people having superficial values swore only the bayat of caliphate. While the pious and those fearing from Allah swore the bayat to attain repentance and piety as well. Therefore, everyone got benefit depending on the intention with which he had sworn bayat to the caliph.
Muslim swore Bayat on the hand of Abu Bakr Siddiq
It in all the books of hadith that when the Holy Prophet passed away, all the Muslims had sworn bayat on the hands of Abu Bakar Siddique. Then, public considered him as the caliph and vicegerent of the Prophet sall’Allahu alayhi wa’alihi wasallam. At the time of oath of allegiance (al-bayah) the words of Abu Bakr Siddiq were:
Follow me as long as I obey Allah and His Prophet”.
Therefore, this bayat considered as the bayat of caliphate. Moreover, same pledge considered as oath of allegiance of obeying the Prophet (Rasool Allah) and the pledge of repentance and piety altogether.
Muslim swore bayat on the hand of Umar ibn Khattab
Hazrat Anas Razi Allah Anhu narrates that Abu Bakr Siddiq died. Therefore, and Hazrat Umar Farooq (Umar ibn Khattab) became the caliph. I said to him:
“Please give me your hand so that, as per my capacity of listening and following, I swear oath of allegiance (bayat). As I had sworn with the first caliph before you.”
Muslim swore bayat on the hand of Usman ibn Affan
Hazrat Saleem bin Abi Amar also stated that a group from Hamrah swore oath of allegiance on the hand of Hazrat Usman Ghani (Usman ibn Affan). They promised that they will believe in the Oneness of Allah, offer prayer and give zakat. They will also follow the Islamic rules for the month of Ramzan (Ramadan). Moreover, they promised to leave celebrating the festivals of the fire-worshippers. (Masnad Imam Ahmad)
Beneficence of four Caliphs
Moreover, the spiritual chains of mystic ways, continuing from these four pious Caliphs are the proof of the fact that they were also a source of spiritual beneficence for the ummah (umma). This beneficence continues till now. Among the present chains of spiritual orders, particularly the Sarwari Qadri order, the spiritual journey of disciple does not complete until he gets beneficence from all the four Caliphs. Disciple gets the blessings of Veracity and truthfulness from the spiritual glance of Abu Bakr Siddiq. Moreover, he receives blessings of justice and accountability of innerself from Umar ibn Khattab. Furthermore, he receives beneficence of obedience and modesty from Usman ibn Affan and Faqr from Ali ibn Abi Talib. This benefice is still present since then.
How to get beneficence of the Prophet now?
In the present era, a person who born in a Muslim family is already a Muslim by birth. Therefore, he does not need to swear bayat of entering Islam. However, to receive beneficence of the Prophet and the Caliphs, it is compulsory to swear bayat (oath of allegiance) upon the hand of the Murshid. But Murshid must be on the footsteps of the Holy Prophet. In fact, he is the Universal Divine Man who has permission of the Prophet to guide the Muslims.
The references about the bayat for repentance and piety are present in a large number of Hadiths. The reference of verse 10 of surah Fateh does not refer to the bayat of entering of Islam. Rather, Muslims took oath of allegiance on the hand of the Holy Prophet after accepting Islam. Different references about bayat to attain repentance and piety given in Hadith are as under:
Bayat in Hadiths
Oath of Allegiance on the Caliph of the Prophet
Narrated Abu Huraira: Prophet Mohammad said:
“The Israelis used to be ruled and guided by prophets. Whenever a prophet died, another would take over his place. There will be no prophet after me, but there will be my Caliphs who will increase in number.”
The people asked:
“O Allah’s Apostle! What do you order us (to do)?”
He said:
“Obey the one who will be given the oath of allegiance first. Fulfil their rights, for Allah will ask them about (any shortcoming) in ruling those Allah has put under their guardianship.” (Bukhari: 3455)
Allah will not speak to the one who does not obey his Murshid Kamil.
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said:
“There will be three types of people whom Allah will neither speak to them on the Day of Resurrection nor will purify them from sins. Moreover, they will have a painful punishment. They are:
(1) A man possessed superfluous water (more than he needs) on a way and he withholds it from the travelers.
(2) The one who gives bayat to an Imam (spiritual guide) and gives it only for worldly benefits. If the Imam gives him what he wants, he abides by his pledge. Otherwise he does not fulfill his pledge.
(3) And a man who sells something to another man after the `Asr prayer. He swears by Allah (a false bayat) that he has offered so much for it whereupon the buyer believes him and buys it. Although in fact, the seller has not offered such a price. (Bukhari:7212)
Bayat /oath of allegiance is Necessary to Attain repentance and piety
Hazrat Abada Bin Saamat narrates:
قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ وَحَوْلَہُ عِصَابَۃٌ مِّنْ اَصْحَابِہٖ بَایِعُوْنِیْ عَلٰی اَنْ لَّا تُشْرِکُوْا بِاللّٰہِ شَیْئاً وَّلَاتَسْرِقُوْا وَلَا تَزْنُوْا وَلَا تَقْتُلُوْا اَوْلَادُکُمْ وَلَا تَأتُوْا بِبُھْتَانٍ تَفْتَرُوْنَہُ بَیْنَ اَیْدِکُمْ وَاَرْجُلِکُمْ وَلَا تَعْصُوْا فِیْ مَعْرُوْفٍ فَمَنْ وَفٰی مِنْکُمْ فَاَجْرُہٗ عَلَی اللّٰہِ وَمَنْ اَصَابَ مِنْ ذٰلِکَ شَیْئًا فَعُوْقِبَ بِہٖ فِیْ الدُّنْیَا فَھُوَ کَفَّارَۃٌ لَّہٗ وَمَنْ اَصَابَ مِنْ ذٰلِکَ شَیْئًا ثُمَّ سَتَرَہُ اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ فَھُوَ اِلَی اللّٰہِ اِنْ شَائَ عَفَا عَنْہُ وَ اِنْ شَائَ عَاقَبَۃُ فَبَایَعْنَاہُ عَلٰی ذٰلِکَ۔
Meaning: When a group of Companions of the Holy Prophet was present, he said, “Swear oath of allegiance with me that you will:
- Believe in Oneness of Allah
- We shall not steal
Not keep extra-marital relations - We shall not kill your children.
- Not put false accusations on anyone
- We shall not disobey in any good affair.
- Amongst you, one who will be loyal in his pledge, his reward is due on Allah. And whoever does any unlawful act, its upto Allah whether He hides his act, forgives or punishes him.”
(Ubada ibn as-Samit says), so we took oath of allegiance with the Holy Prophet upon all these matters. (Bukhari Sharif-Vol:1 pg 7-Vol:2-page 1112, Mishkawat Sharif-pg13, Nisai-Vol:2 pg 80, Kanzul-Amal hadith no. 1521, Tibrani Vol:8-pg-70))
Hazrat Abada bin Samat Razi Allah Anhu narrates more:
بَایَعْنَا عَلَی السَّمْعِ وَالطَّاعَۃِ فِی الْعُسْرِ وَالْیُسْرِ وَالْمُنْشِطِ وَالْمُکْرِہٖ وَالْاَثْرَۃِ عَلَیْنَا وَاَن لَّا نَنَازَعَ الْاَمْرَ اَھْلَہُ وَلَنْ نَّقُوْلَ بِالْحَقِّ حَیْثُمَا کُنَّا لَا نَخَافُ فِی اللّٰہِ لَوْمَۃَ لَائِمٍ۔
Meaning: “We promised the Holy Prophet to obey him in all conditions, convenience and hardship, happiness and sorrow. Even in the state when someone else is made superior to us. We also promised that we will not fight over the matter of government of the deserving person. We promised to speak the truth and shall not fear from harm of the person speaking against Allah’s affairs. (Ibn-e-Maja Pg 211, Bukhari Sharif vol:2 pg 1069, Nisai vol:2 pg 179)
Bayat (Oath of Allegiance) of repentance and piety was compulsory even after entering Islam
Both the above hadiths are the proof of the oath of allegiance of repentance and piety after embracing Islam. Therefore, this is the base of the oath to the spiritual guides who are spiritual successors of the Prophet. The objective of such oath is to persuade Muslim to repent, invoke Allah and to renounce lusts. Its aim is to seek Allah and complete journey towards Allah with perseverance under the guidance of spiritual guidance.
Different forms of Bayat/ Oath of Allegiance
In fact, the bayat has always continued among the believers (momineen). Therefore, it has continued from the time of Holy Prophet till today. Although, its forms kept changing according to the demands of the time.
Bayat implemented by Prophet Mohammad
Its first and foremost form is the same, which had been the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet. That form is to swear bayat at the sacred hands of the Imam or Khalifah (the possessor of Divine Trust). This form of bayat (oath of allegiance) had continued during the Rashidun Caliphate. After Ali ibn Abi Talib. It remained in practice till Hazrat Imam Hassan (Hasan ibn Ali) took the responsibility of caliphate for a few months. He also took the bayat along with that of Khilafat.
Segregation between Bayat of caliphate and Bayat for repentance and piety
But Yazid had raised an uproar on the matter of bayat (oath of allegiance) of caliphate of Hasan ibn Ali. Therefore, he had gone through blasphemy, oppression and tyranny against him and his sacred family. Resultantly, perfect spiritual guides (Mashaikhs) segregated the pledge of repentance and piety from the bayat (oath of allegiance) of caliphate. Moreover, one more reason was that the physical caliphate had gone into the hands of worldly rulers. Actually, they were incapable to give spiritual beneficence to the umma (Ummat), rather they were harmful for their religion.
Granting Khirqah was a form of Bayat / oath of allegiance
Shaikh Hasan of Basra changed the form of the pledge of repentance and piety after martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali who is author of book Mirat-ul-Arifeen. So that, the rulers might not think it as a bayat of caliphate which they had considered a danger to them. Thus, he started granting his followers a Khirqa (a patched cloak, symbol of the spiritual traveller). Moreover, he started granting a turban (Amama) which was a symbol of disciple’s obedience to his Murshid. It also expressed right of getting spiritual beneficence from him. Therefore, to grant a Khirqa was a prudently adopted form of bayat to adopt piety. The Sufis and Saints called this act of granting Khirqa as the replacement of oath of allegiance (qaeem muqam bayat).
Revival of first form of Bayat
But after a long period, the rulers left the custom of bayat taking. Moreover, their fears from the spiritual leaders faded away. That is why, Sufis revived this tradition in the same was and form as was in the time of The Holy Prophet.
Bayat / oath of allegiance always remained in practice
So the bayat is such a great and sacred Sunna which has remained in practice in every era in one way or the other. The Holy Prophet’s caliphs and successor Saints are the only ones to keep this sacred Sunna (Sunnat) alive forever.
The credit goes to Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, the revitalizer of the true faith (deen), for reinitiating the bayat of repentance and piety. He got his khirqa, while taking bayat, from Abu Saeed Mubarak Makhzoomi. On presenting this Khirqa, he said to him:
“O Abdul Qadir! The Lord of the Universe (Prophet Mohammad) presented it to Ali ibn Abi Talib. Then he granted it to Shaikh Hasan of Basra and then it reached me hand to hand”.
Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani revived the Sunna in true meaning
So, Shaikh Nadvi writes in his book Rijal-ul-Fikr fil Dawat fil-Islam that:
Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani opened the door of bayat taking and repentance. Resultantly, people from every nook and corner of the world entered Islam. Therefore, they renewed their promise that they would never involve in infidelity, oppression, crimes and would renounce the worldliness. They promised not to forget their religious obligations and the hereafter. Neither would they involve in falsehood nor the heresy (bidat) in the religion. The door opened by Allah through him let infinite number of people enter it. Their deeds and spiritual states improved and they became best Muslims. Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani made arrangements for their spiritual training and self-accountability. His disciples became responsible members of the society after bayat and renovation of their faith. This proves that taking bayat (oath of allegiance) on the hand of Saint plays an important role in individual and collective sanctity.
From the above-mentioned references proves that swearing bayat is an important Sunna according to the Quran and hadith. Moreover, it is also the Sunna of the Companions and the Saints. Like all the basics of the religion like Tauheed, prayers, zakat, fasting, Hajj and Jihad, it is also in practice.
Denier of Bayat
Although, the fake critics who have incomplete and superficial knowledge of religion, neglecting its importance. Hence, they are raising objections against it and calling it infidelity and polytheism. They do not realize that an act proved by the Quran and Sunna and the actions of the great people of the umma, if proclaimed as infidelity, is a great infidelity in itself. Allah says:
اَفَتُؤۡمِنُونَ بِبَعۡضِ الۡکِتٰبِ وَ تَکۡفُرُونَ بِبَعۡضٍ
Meaning: Do you believe in some of the parts of the Quran and deny the others. (Al-Baqarah-82)
The scholars have agreed upon that the denier of a part of Quran is the denier of the whole Quran. These people act upon those orders of the Quran, which they consider easy. They follow those instructions, which are according to their wishes and object the ones, which are unpleasant for them.
Warning for those who stop others from Bayat
They not only reject and disobey them rather they forbid others too. It is in Fayooz-ul-Bar, the exegesis of Bukhari Sharif:
When someone forbids or declare anything unlawful or prohibited in Islam, then he must prove his claim. If he fails to prove his claim based on authentic laws of Islam, he is a reprobate.
Since the deniers have no argument against bayat according to the Islamic law, so they are among the rejected ones. In fact, these people try to mislead the commoners by their hollow argument.
Hollow argument of deniers of Bayat and its answer
They argue that that there is no need to take bayat in the presence of the Quran and Sunna. This argument is as illogical as is their intellect.
The need of bayat was vital even in the life of the Holy Prophet. The Quran, revealed upon him, cannot be more powerful than his holy self can. In fact, it did not have the power to guide the people without a leader. The one who would practically teach them what is in Quran. Even during the presence of Prophet Mohammad, there was a need of taking bayat. Thus, in his absence its need increased far more. These people consider Quran and Sunna as the replacement of taking bayat and admit them as their guide. But they negate their own opinion by denying the importance of bayat approved by the same guide.
Bayat of Women
The critics object and humiliate the pledge taking of women even more vigorously than that of men. Though, Quran and Hadith mentions that women can take bayat as well.
Women’s Bayat in Quran
In the Surah Al-Mumtehna Allah says:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّبِیُّ اِذَا جَآءَکَ الۡمُؤۡمِنٰتُ یُبَایِعۡنَکَ عَلٰۤی اَنۡ لَّا یُشۡرِکۡنَ بِاللّٰہِ شَیۡئًا وَّ لَا یَسۡرِقۡنَ وَ لَا یَزۡنِیۡنَ وَ لَا یَقۡتُلۡنَ اَوۡلَادَہُنَّ وَ لَا یَاۡتِیۡنَ بِبُہۡتَانٍ یَّفۡتَرِیۡنَہٗ بَیۡنَ اَیۡدِیۡہِنَّ وَ اَرۡجُلِہِنَّ وَ لَا یَعۡصِیۡنَکَ فِیۡ مَعۡرُوۡفٍ فَبَایِعۡہُنَّ وَ اسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَہُنَّ اللّٰہَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ
Meaning:
O Prophet! When the believing women appear in your presence to take the bayat that they will not set up anything as partner with Allah and will not steal. Nor will they commit adultery or kill their children. (They take pledge that they will not) bring false blame, which they have invented between their hands and feet. (i.e., will not deceive their husbands declaring some other’s baby as their own). (They take bayat that they will not) disobey you in (any) matter pertaining to law. Then accept their allegiance and seek forgiveness for them from Allah. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Ever-Merciful. (Al-Mumtahanah-12)
Explanation of the Verse:
This verse about the bayat of women is such an explicit argument. Therefore, only an envious, proud and the denier of the Quran can reject it. It is also obvious that it was not the pledge of entering Islam. Rather it was a bayat to obtain piety because, at the beginning of the verse, there is the description of ‘faithful’ women (mominat) who came to the Prophet for taking bayat. It is quite clear that the women had already embraced Islam and were swearing bayat.
Women’s Bayat in Hadiths
The description of the bayat of mominat is present in Hadiths. Salma bint Qais relates:
I was present in the court of the Prophet and swore bayat with the other women of Ansaar. The Holy Prophet took our bayat on the condition that we must not involve in polytheism, steal or adultery. We will neither murder our offspring nor slander anyone. Moreover, neither we will disobey the orders about virtuous deeds, nor would deceive our husbands. We swore our bayat and returned.” (Musnad Ahmad, Abu Ya’ala, Tibrani)
Saying of Umaima Bint Zuqaiqa:
I was present alongwith the other women at Holy Prophet’s court and said:
“O Prophet! We swear bayat at the condition that we would neither make partners with Allah nor steal or involve in adultery. Neither would kill our offsprings nor accuse anybody, nor disobey in the matters of good deeds.”
Then the Holy Prophet inquired:
“Among these, upon which things do you have power and authority?”
We replied:
“Allah and His Prophet are more merciful upon us than ourselves. Please! Honour us with your sacred presence so that, we could swear bayat on your sacred hand”.
Then, the Prophet explained:
“I do not shake hands with women. My saying for one woman is equal to my address to hundred ladies”. (Ibn-e-Maja, Hadith No. 2874, Masnad Ahmad volume 2 page 357, Kanzul Amal Hadith no. 475-476, Dur-e-Manshoor volume 8 page 138)
Sunna of Prophet of taking Bayat by women
The Holy Prophet used to take hands of the men in his own sacred hands while bayat taking. However, for the women’s bayat, he adopted different methods at different times. Initially, he took oral bayat.
Then he started the method that he used to put his sacred hand in one side of a big pot full of water and in the other side, the ladies would put their hands and swear bayat. Afterwards, he adopted another method. In this method, the women held one end of cloth and he used to hold the other end. He never ever took bayat of the women by holding their hands. After him, his successors (Khulfa) and the Sufis continued the same method. Now a day also, the Murshid Kamil Akmal uses the method of cloth.
Reasons behind prohibiting women from Bayat
Inspite of the clear proofs of the bayat taking of women in the Quran and Hadith, people object it. In fact, they are narrow minded and malicious. They think of woman as a trivial thing, having no value. They think that a woman has no right to progress in the world and the religion. Her only job is to serve man. They are frightened of the awareness of the woman. They fear of her worldly and religious education that she will become aware of the rights, which Allah has granted. Although, Allah has not discriminated man and woman while conferring them with wisdom and sensibility. Rather He granted the blessing of intelligence and wisdom to whom He wished, without the difference of sex.
These fools do not know that educated woman, not only will become aware of her own rights but her duties.
Another problem of these men is that their own minds are full of lust and filth. Therefore, they think Saints are like them whom women should not visit to get spiritual beneficence. Their mirror of inciting innerself is so dirty that the light of the Saints (God forbid) seem to them as dirt. Obviously, Holy Prophet himself appoints him at the throne of Divine guidance and persuasion. Then how come he can have lust? Rather, his highest status is beyond the thoughts and perceptions of these irrational people.
Swearing Bayat is the right of woman
The woman possesses the same right as the man, to seek Allah and His Love. They have right to seek the Prophet and his love, the faith and to get education about it. Allah has made woman equal to man and kept His spiritual relation with her at the same basis. The souls appeared in the world, in the bodily covers of man and woman. It is because they have to perform their respective duties to run the system of this world. Otherwise, the soul is neither a man nor a woman. Every soul has the relation of Ishq (an ardent love) with Allah. Man and a woman have equal right to have the vision of Allah reaching at the status of Miraj (Meraj). Hence, it is very unfair and cruelty to stop the women from receiving the spiritual beneficence of a perfect Murshid.
Therefore, the true women seeking for the Truth (Haq) must not pay heed to such devils. They create hurdles between Allah and them. One should ignore such people thinking them as the dogs of the path. Therefore, the spiritual journey to Allah should remain continue with steadfastness. No doubt! Allah will soon remove these hurdles due to their patience and steadfastness. (In Sha Allah)
One must be careful of Fake Pirs
Therefore, it is unlawful to stop the women from spiritual beneficence and gnosis through bayat taking of a perfect mystic. Although, it is essential to be careful of the deceit and fraud of this era, as it is widely common these days.
Before taking bayat, one should confirm whether the bayat taker is actually a Murshid Kamil and follower of sharia. However, to consider the perfect Saint as fake pirs and to forbid others from getting their spiritual beneficence is unfair.
Allah has promised to guide sincere seekers
In fact, Allah has promised to help those who try to search Murshid Kamil for gaining gnosis (Marifat). Therefore, Allah will help them Himself and never let them entangled into the trap of the deceivers. Allah says:
وَالَّذِيۡنَ جَاهَدُوۡا فِيۡنَا لَنَهۡدِيَنَّهُمۡ سُبُلَنَا
Meaning: And those who strive hard for Our cause, we certainly guide them to our ways. (Ankaboot-69)
The need of Bayat and its importance
The one and only purpose of the creation of man in the Quranic is:
وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ الۡجِنَّ وَ الۡاِنۡسَ اِلَّا لِیَعۡبُدُوۡنِ
Meaning: And we created jins and human beings merely for our worship (Ibadat). (Al-Zariat-56)
If the purpose is only to worship, then the purpose of every action and thought should be only the worship. In fact, it is quite logical to fulfil the purpose at every cost, otherwise it is an absolute failure. However, man has lost in the needs and luxuries of this material and immortal world. Thus, he has forgotten the purpose of his creation. He has turned the direction of all his actions, deeds, thoughts and even prayers towards the world or the heaven.
Resultantly, he has deviated from his Rub (Allah). Undoubtedly, he does this being a man (Bashar), a combination of good and evil. Until he does not receive the righteousness (hidayat) from Allah, one cannot blame him. Because he has forgotten his pre-eternal relation with Allah on coming to this world. Therefore, his body and innerself are inclined towards the world and the worldly needs.
Allah creates medium for righteousness
So, Allah has been creating the sources and waseela (means) of righteousness, from the very beginning of this world. The sources have always in the form of the same ‘human being’. Physically, the source is a man like the other humans, but inwardly his relation with Allah is stronger. Because of this strong relation, he finds righteousness directly from Allah. Moreover, he becomes the source of transferring it to others. It has been the principle of Allah that He sends righteousness to man always through the source. Even He says:
وَلَوۡ جَعَلۡنٰہُ مَلَکًالَّجَعَلۡنٰہُ رَجُلًا
Meaning: If (for the righteousness of people) we would have sent an angel, it must have been in the form of a man. (Al-Anam-9)
Thus, Allah is explaining very clearly about the source of the righteousness that it can only be a male man. So, the source has always been the ‘Perfect Men’ in every era. Therefore, they guided people in the form of the Prophets till Prophet Mohammad. But after the Holy Prophet, they are guiding in the form of his spiritual successors.
Point to Ponder
How can it possible that Allah has guided His men continually since the very outset of life but He has ended this succession for the last fourteen hundred years?
Do we need only Quran for righteousness?
According to some people, the only source of righteousness now is the Quran. But in the beginning of the Quran Allah Himself says about the Quran: یُضِلُّ بِہٖ کَثِیۡرًا ۙ وَّ یَہۡدِیۡ بِہٖ کَثِیۡرًا ؕوَ مَا یُضِلُّ بِہٖۤ اِلَّا الۡفٰسِقِیۡنَ
Meaning: Several people have gone astray by this Quran, and many find righteousness from it. But (only) those people go astray who (whose soul and inward) are polluted with sinfulness. (Al-Baqarah-26)
It means, impure inward (batin) which is devoid of spiritual glance of spiritual guide, will get astray. In fact, only perfect spiritual guide cleanses the inward with his spiritual glance. Sinfulness (فسق) is a vast term, which includes all the spiritual and inner diseases. Like pride, arrogance, vanity, greed, envy, malice, avarice, self-conceit, lust etc. These ailments divert from straight path. Only the Prophets or perfect Saints are free from these spiritual diseases. These men of perfection possess the spiritual power that removes sinfulness (فسق) from their inwards. Thus, making them capable of gaining righteousness from the Quran.
Purified inwards can only understand Quran.
As Allah says about the Quran that:
لَّا یَمَسُّہٗۤ اِلَّا الۡمُطَہَّرُوۡنَ
Meaning: No one can touch this (Quran) but the purified one. (Al-Waqiah-79)
Pure people (مُطَہَّرُوۡنَ) in the above verse does not refer only to the physically clean people. But it also refers to the inwardly and the spiritually pure ones. ‘Touch’ means to reach to its reality and the true essence. Only the pure soul can find the reality of Quran and its message hidden under the veil of apparent words. Otherwise, learning Arabic grammar and thinking the outer words as the true message is depravity. Unless one’s inward does not purify, his inward remains sinfulness, thus, he cannot understand the soul of Quran.
Denier seeks guidance in all worldly matters but refuses the need of guidance to reach Allah
The Quran is a prescription for the cure of inner diseases. But merely through a prescription nobody can recover, unless there is a doctor to tell the method of using prescription. Therefore, whoever tries to cure himself only by prescription without doctor gets harm.
Just like in the physical world, it is impossible to learn any skill without a teacher or to travel on any path without the guidance of somebody. Even if someone knows destination but unware of the path leading to it, he will reach to his destination. Similarly, it is essential to have a guide on path of Allah, as a layman is unfamiliar to path. The Satan also ambushes at every point to astray the people.
Allah instructs to seek guidance from Men of Invocations
Hence, one cannot travel on this path of mysticism (tareeqat) without a guide. When one cannot learn anything without a guide in physical, then how one can travel the path of spiritualism without a guide. As it is beyond the boundary of the physical world! That is why, Allah Himself says in the Quran:
فَسۡـَٔلُوۡۤااَہۡلَ الذِّکۡرِ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ
Meaning: Ask the men of invocation (Ahl-e-Zikr) if you do not know. (Al-Anbiah-7)
Men of invocations means the Men of perfection whose souls have reached at the station of annihilation in Allah. They have become absolutely pure with the invocation of Allah (Zikr-e-Elahi). Now, they have become familiar to the Divine path. Therefore, they have become capable of guiding others by granting them spiritual purity with their spiritual authority.
One must adopt company of truthful for guidance
Allah orders as below:
كُوۡنُوۡا مَعَ الصّٰدِقِيۡنَ
Meaning: Remain in the company of those who uphold the truth (truthfuls). (Al-Tauba-119)
Every command of Allah is an obligation. Hence, to adopt the company of the Sidiqeen (truthfuls) and Mystics is compulsory. If Allah is ordering to ask the men of invocation and adopt the companionship of the truthfuls, then it is obvious that they are present in every age for the guidance of people. Every command of the Quran is for every age, as it is universal.
Second point to ponder
After complete revelation of Quran, Prophet Mohammad passed away. Therefore, it has become more important to seek guidance from men of invocation and truthful. In fact, they are spiritual successors of Prophet Mohammad. Moreover, they are means of the righteousness after the Prophet Mohammad.
Find a medium to reach Allah
Hence, Allah is ordering to search these very persons, in the following verse (ayat):
یٰۤاَیُّہَاالَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ وَ ابۡتَغُوۡۤا اِلَیۡہِ الۡوَسِیۡلَۃَ وَجَاہِدُوۡا فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِہٖ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡنَ
Meaning: O believers! Adopt piety persistently and keep looking for medium to (approach and get closer to) Him. And strive hard in His way so that you may prosper. (Al-maidah-35)
Explanation of Medium
In the book Qaul-ul-Jamil Shah Waliullah Dehlawi writes in the explanation of this verse:
Here waseela or medium neither refers to the faith because the faithfuls are already being addressed. Nor it refers to the pious deeds like the prayer, fasting, Zakat as they comes under piety (Taqwa). Thus, here waseela refers to Divine love (iradat), bayat and the Murshid.
Similarly, Shah Ismail Dehlvi, who is the leader of deniers of bayat and spiritual guides, defines waseela in these words:
مراد از وسیلہ شخصے است کہ اقرب الی اللہ باشد
Meaning: Waseela refers to that person who is very close to Allah.
When Allah ordered to search means, obviously, it did not refer to an invisible thing like faith, piety devotion etc. In fact, one cannot search them. Hence, the search refers to Universal Divine Man (Mard-e-Kamil) whose reality is unknown among the people.
This verse also clarifies that the false and fraud pirs are not means to reach Allah, as one does not need to search them. Fake pirs are present everywhere and they have made themselves commercial. Thus, one does not need to search them. Medium can only be that person who is with Allah regarding his inner self but not famous and popular apparently in the world and does not reveal his spiritual status with his own tongue among the people.
Quran stresses to search for Murshid
In surah Bani Israil verse 57, Allah Himself defines wasila as:
یَبۡتَغُوۡنَ اِلٰی رَبِّہِمُ الۡوَسِیۡلَۃَ اَیُّہُمۡ اَقۡرَبُ
Meaning: They look for mean towards their Lord that among them who is near and beloved of Allah.
In Surah Luqman too, Allah commands to obey His special Men of perfection, which is in fact the instruction to take oath:
وَّاتَّبِعۡ سَبِیۡلَ مَنۡ اَنَابَ اِلَیَّ
Meaning: But follow someone who adopts the path of turning to Me. (Surah Luqman-15)
One must obey Allah, His Prophet and Enlightening leader
Allah says more:
اَطِیۡعُوااللّٰہَ وَ اَطِیۡعُوا الرَّسُوۡلَ وَ اُولِی الۡاَمۡرِ مِنۡکُمۡ ۚ
Meaning: O believers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those who hold command amongst (enlightening leader) you. (An-Nisa-59)
Allah instructed to obey Him and His Prophet along with another Human being’s obedience. Surely, this Oulil Amr is a perfect Saint (Wali) who follows the same path the Prophet has followed. Moreover, his instructions conform to Allah and His Prophet.
Furthermore, he is successor of Allah and His Prophet. Certainly, there must be one such individual in the world, that is why, the Allah orders to follow him. Undoubtedly, enlightening leader does not refer to the worldly rulers. As their path and deeds are usually against the commandments of Allah and His Prophet. Therefore, following them would make it impossible to follow and obey Allah and His Prophet. Hence, to follow and obey Lord and His Prophet it is essential to find out an enlightening leader. The one who has reached at the highest station of the Divine closeness by following Lord and His Prophet perfectly.
People Always Get Divine Guidance
Surah Bani Israil, verse 15:
مَنِ اہۡتَدٰی فَاِنَّمَا یَہۡتَدِیۡ لِنَفۡسِہٖ ۚ وَ مَنۡ ضَلَّ فَاِنَّمَا یَضِلُّ عَلَیۡہَا ؕ وَ لَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَۃٌ وِّزۡرَ اُخۡرٰی ؕ وَ مَا کُنَّا مُعَذِّبِیۡنَ حَتّٰی نَبۡعَثَ رَسُوۡلًا
Meaning: Whoever adopts the path of guidance follows it to his own benefit and whoever goes astray, then the evil consequences of his error also fall back on him alone. And no bearer of burden will bear the burden (of the sins) of any other and We do not torment (any people) at all until We send a Messenger (to them). (Bani Israil-15)
This verse proves that Allah always keeps sending His special Men for guiding people towards righteousness in every age. Hence, he guides people in the form of Prophets or in the form of Mystics. Moreover, He will not punish anyone as long as He does not make arrangements for his guidance. If he follows the one who possesses righteousness, then there is salvation for him. But if he refuses to obey him, then Allah punishes him.
Every Muslim seeks path of bestowed people
We pray in Surah Al-Fatihah during our five times prayers daily:
اِهۡدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الۡمُسۡتَقِيۡمَۙ. صِرَاطَ الَّذِيۡنَ اَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ
Meaning: Show us the straight path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favours.
But people do not take responsibility to search such rewarded people. We think that rewarded people are only the Prophets who have passed away from this world. Therefore, people think that there are no more rewarded people in this world.
A wrong Notion and answer of Quran
This is entirely a wrong notion that only the punished and wrath stricken group have left in this world. God forbid! If such had happened, the doomsday would have befallen so far. In fact, this is the blessing of the existence of bestowed people that it rains and earth grows crops. Surely, it is because of them that the sun rises and life exists. Every soul is taking birth in this world with a hope to receive righteousness from them. Quran explains about the rewarded ones:
وَمَنۡ یُّطِعِ اللّٰہَ وَ الرَّسُوۡلَ فَاُولٰٓئِکَ مَعَ الَّذِیۡنَ اَنۡعَمَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیۡہِمۡ مِّنَ النَّبِیّٖنَ وَ الصِّدِّیۡقِیۡنَ وَ الشُّہَدَآءِ وَ الصّٰلِحِیۡنَ ۚ وَ حَسُنَ اُولٰٓئِکَ رَفِیۡقًاؕ
Meaning: And whoever obeys Lord and His Messenger are the people who will be in the company of those whom Allah has blessed with His favour: the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the most pious. And how excellent these companions are! (An-Nisa-69)
There is no Prophet after Prophet Mohammad but the chain of truthfuls and pious will remain continue till the doomsday. That is why it is Divine order to remain in the company of truthfuls:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ وَ کُوۡنُوۡا مَعَ الصّٰدِقِیۡنَ
Meaning: Remain in the company of the truthfuls. (Al-Tauba-119)
One can have their company after swearing oath of allegiance on the hand of perfect Saints (Pir-e-Kamil). Thus, all the verses commanding to acquire the company of His beloved men, obey and follow their path are infact instructions of swearing bayat to these Saints (Auliya). So, taking bayat is the religious obligations.
Denier of Bayat is Denier of Quran
According to the verse 85 of surah Al Baqarah referred before, Quran says:
اَفَتُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِبَعۡضِ الۡکِتٰبِ وَ تَکۡفُرُوۡنَ بِبَعۡضٍ
Meaning: Do you believe in some parts of the Quran and deny some others? (Al-Baqarah: 82)
The denier of one context or a command is the denier of its totality. The denier of the Divine commands is the denier of Lord. Therefore, the denier of oath is the denier of the Quran, Sunna and denier of Lord and His Prophet.
On Doomsday, everyone will be with his Murshid
Surah Bani Isral:
یَوۡمَ نَدۡعُوۡا کُلَّ اُنَاسٍۭ بِاِمَامِہِمۡ ۚ
Meaning: On the doomsday, when We shall call every section of people along with their (enlightening) leaders (Murshid). (Bani Israel-71)
He who had not found out his Imam or Murshid, he would be alone on the day of judgment. Rather, his Murshid will be Satan. As Holy Prophet said:
مَنْ لَّاشَیْخَ یَتَّخِذُہُالشَّیْطَانَ
Meaning: The one who has no Murshid, his Murshid is Satan.
Some interpreters derive meaning ‘the Prophets’ from the word شَیْخَ in the above-mentioned verse. Although Allah used the word “Imam” instead of Nabi. If it was Prophet of every nation, then Allah would have used the word Nabi.
Bayat with Allah
Moreover, the relation with the Prophet develops by swearing bayat with the Murshid Kamil (Imam). As Quran says:
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یُبَایِعُوۡنَکَ اِنَّمَا یُبَایِعُوۡنَ اللّٰہَ ؕ یَدُ اللّٰہِ فَوۡقَ اَیۡدِیۡہِمۡ ۚ
Meaning: (O Beloved!) Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you in fact pledge allegiance to Lord alone. Allah’s hand is over their hands (in the form of your hand) (Al-Fath-10)
Therefore, Allah set the principle that the bayat with Prophet is in fact the bayat with Lord. Similarly, the bayat at the hand of successor of Prophet is bayat with the Prophet and so the chain reaches to Allah. Hence, whoever will swear bayat with the perfect spiritual guide of today, in fact he swears bayat with Prophet Mohammad through several means.
Perfect Murshid in light of Hadiths
The explicit orders of searching the perfect Saint of the concerned era and acquiring his company are present in the Hadiths.
Holy Prophet said:
اَلرَّفِیْقُ ثُمَّ الطَّرِیْقُ
Meaning: First find the guide then set on journey.
لَادِیْنَ لِمَنْ لَّاشَیْخَ لَہ
Meaning: He has no faith who has no Shaikh (Murshid).
مَنْ مَّاتَ وَلَیْسَ فِیْ عُنْقِہُ بَیْعَۃٌ مَاتَ مَیْتَۃً جَاھِلِیَّہً
Meaning: Who died in a state that he had not sworn oath of a perfect spiritual guide, he died in ignorance.
اَلشَّیْخُ فِیْ قَوْمِہٖ کَنَبِیٍّ فِیْ اُمَّتِہٖ
Meaning: A Shaikh among his community (followers) is like a Prophet among his umma.
مَنْ لَمْ یَدْرِکْ اِمَامِ زَمَانَہٗ فَقَدْ مَاتَ مَیْتَۃً جَاہِلِیَّۃً
Meaning: Who does not discover the perfect saint of his time with his insight, will die in ignorance.
The perfect saints (auliya kamileen) gain these levels by acting upon these orders of the Quran and Hadith.
All Saints swear Bayat
All the Mystics also swore bayat to certain perfect mystic and had received spiritual training from him. Even leader of all the Saints Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani had to swear bayat to Hazrat Abu Saeed Makhzoomi to cover the spiritual waystations. Then how can a common and imperfect claim to reach Lord without a medium of Mystic?
Everyone needs a Murshid
Rumi says:
ہیچ کس از نزد خود چیزے نہ شُد
ہیچ آہن خنجر تیزے نہ شُد
ہیچ حلوائی نہ شُد استادِ کار
تاکہ شاگردے شکر ریزے نہ شُد
مولوی ہرگز نہ شُد مولائے روم
تا غلام شمس تبریزے نہ شُد
Explanation: Nobody can gain anything without a specialist. Just like, no piece of an iron can become a dagger unless handled by a black smith. Moreover a confectioner cannot becomes an expert by himself until he learns this skill from an expert confectioner. Then, he tells that even he could not have reached this status himself until he had not adopted the slavery of his Murshid Shams of Tabriz (Shah Shams Tabrez).
He says:
یک زمانے صحبتے با اولیاء
بہتر از صد سالہ طاعت بے ریا
Meaning: A single moment in the company of sacred Saints is better than the sincere worship of hundred years.
Teachings of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani
Ghaus-ul-Azam Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani expresses in these words.
Seek a spiritual doctor
O people of Lord! You are in a material world of ways and means, so you need a medium. Ask for a doctor (Murshid) from your Lord who would cure the diseases of your souls. Ask for a curer who prescribes you the medicine. Seek such a guide who really guides you towards the true path of salvation. Get the closeness of the beloveds of Allah. They are very close and respectful to Him. They are the custodians of the doors of the Divine path. (Al-Fath ar-Rabbani)
Spiritual guide is a mirror
Find such a man (Murshid) who is the mirror to the face of your religion (Deen). You would look into it as you look into a mirror and correct your face, turban and hair properly. Be a wise man; renounce the lust and appetites of the world. You proclaim (out of your pride) that you do not need anyone to train and educate you. However, the lord of both the worlds says:
‘Mumin is the mirror for a Mumin’.
When the faith of a Muslim rectifies and become perfect, he becomes a mirror for the entire creature. As, they see the faces of their religion in the mirror of his conversation during his meeting and his closeness. (Al-Fath ar-Rabbani)
Always remain with Murshid
O traveller of the world! Do not separate yourself from the caravan, guide and the companions. Otherwise, your life, wealth, and everything will lost. O traveller of the hereafter! You must ever remain alongwith the perfect spiritual guide, he will let you reach the destination. Serve him with dedication, pay respect to him and never remain contradict to his opinion. He will teach you the knowledge and bless your closeness of Allah. (Al-Fath ar-Rabbani)
Satan astray those who are without Guide
The Divine union is impossible without the guidance of an accomplished spiritual guide. The path of gnosis, closeness and union with Allah passes through door of sharia. Therefore, on both sides of the door of the sharia, the devil ambushes the seeker of Allah with his army. Firstly, he does not let any son of Adam come at the door of sharia. Anyways, if a courageous man arrives at the door (prayer, Zakat, Hajj), then the Satan tries to stop him. Thus, Satan involves him in the superficial scenes of the adornment of sharia. He does not let anybody approach the soul of sharia.
If a lucky seeker dares to step ahead, the devil endeavours to stop him with more force. Therefore, Satan uses every tactic to stop him. When the seeker passes through the door of sharia and enters the kingdom of his inward, he has to wade through the vast and difficult jungle of inclination of the people (the creation seek his help for the solution of difficulties of the world). At this point, the seekers without perfect Murshid gets astray in the jungle of the inclination of the creation. Therefore, he is killed. Just like the knowledge of the sharia one cannot learn the esoteric knowledge without the help of a perfect Murshid. As, the spiritual glance of the Murshid is such an alchemy which removes the impurities from the seeker. Thence, it makes him capable of having enlightened insight and conscience.
No one ever reached Divine Destiny without spiritual Guidance
In this regard, Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sultan Bahoo expresses:
No one has ever reached Allah without a Murshid because the Murshid knows every waystation of the inward journey. Infact, he has the solution of every problem. Actually, Murshid is another name for the Divine favour, without the Divine favour one cannot accomplish job. Murshid is like a vigilant and skilled captain of the ship who is aware of all the hazards of the way and knows all the methods to overcome them. Without the captain, the ship would surely sink. For a seeker, perfect Murshid himself is the ship as well as the captain. (Ain-ul-Faqr)
Mediation is better than excellence
Mediation (through the Murshid) is better than excellence gained by knowledge. Knowledge or excellence cannot stop a person from sin but mediation (Murshid) can. Just as Prophet Yousaf (Joseph) was saved from the evil of Zulaikha due to the mediation of his Murshid and father, Prophet Yaqoob ). (Ain-ul-Faqr)
Abu Hamid Mohammad ibn Mohammad al-Ghazali:
To enter the class of the Sufis (taking bayat to Murshid Kamil) is an important obligation. As, nobody has exemption from faults and the diseases of the soul, except the Prophets.
He says:
Initially, I was a denier of the spiritual states of the pious ones and Mystics. I remained so unless I had received beneficence by the slavery of my spiritual guide Shaikh Yousaf Nisaj.
The Selection of Shaikh
Inspite of knowing the importance of bayat with reference to Quran and Sunna people are still hesitant from it. Its main reason is the widespread fraud and deceit and the abundance of fake pirs these days. Though, Allah saves His sincere seeker from such fraudulent. Only, seekers of the material world are the trap of these fraudulent. In fact, every person receives what he desires and seeks. If he seeks this deceptive world then he will find the fake pirs (guides). If he is seeking paradise and its blessings, he will find such spiritual guides who will involve him in excessive prayers, forty days seclusions and specific spiritual exercises. As these are pre-requisite to fulfill the desire of heaven.
Allah guards His seeker
Although, one who sets out to search a perfect Shaikh to seek Allah, He Himself is his protector. As He has said:
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ جَاہَدُوۡا فِیۡنَا لَنَہۡدِیَنَّہُمۡ سُبُلَنَا ؕ
Meaning: The people who strive hard for Our Way, we certainly guide them to Our ways” (Al Ankaboot-69)
Whose desire and intention are true, if initially he goes at wrong place, Divine guidance directs him towards the right place. Hence, it is necessary to rectify your own intention and desires first, instead of blaming the fraud guides.
Perfect Murshid conceals himself from seeker of this world and the hereafter
Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali says:
I have heard that these days Kamil Murshids are rare. Whereas the fraudulents and cheats are available everywhere in the guise of Murshid. Well! If you will seek the world or heaven instead of Lord then definitely such people will deceive you. A true seeker who really wants proximity of Allah never becomes victim of such people. Because his protector is He in whose search he has set out. First check and rectify your own demand, then look for a spiritual guide, you will surely find the destination. Since there are no more seekers of Allah who set out to search Him truly and seek His closeness and recognition.
Hence, perfect Murshid has also concealed himself from the carcass worldly people. I again emphasize upon searching a spiritual guide with a true inward, sincere intention and without prejudice. Only then, you will find your destination. Abu Jahal and Abu Lahab could not recognize Prophet Mohammad inspite of being near him. While Hazrat Awais Qarni (Uwais al-Qarani) recognized him due to his true passion despite being physically away from him.
Signs of perfect Murshid
Syed Muhammad Zauqi Shah tells some important things to recognize the true Murshid:
Visit that Shaikh and notice that as long as you were sitting there, whether you felt less worldly dangers, satanic whisper or not. Whether you felt the Prophet and Divine love or not. After getting out of that place, your state may return to usual. But the time you stayed there, did you feel any change within yourself or not?
Did the disciples or followers of that Shaikh feel any spiritual change within themselves after becoming his followers? What was the state before becoming his disciples and what kind of change they felt afterwards?
The time you remained in his company, did he utter such words, which conform to your spiritual states. Moreover, did you feel any satisfaction with those words? Did his words solve any of your problems or unveil any secret upon you?
If you get a good opinion about these three matters, then blindly swear bayat on the hands of that Shaikh. Because then you would not find a Shaikh better than him as for as your betterment and righteousness are concerned.
Renewal and revival of bayat
Major Problem of today
Nowadays, there is another severe problem. It is because of the abundance of imperfect spiritual guide. Infact, people swear bayat with any available Murshid, without verifying his authenticity, even if he is imperfect or fake. This is so, because they do not want to take the pain of searching for a true and perfect Murshid. After bayat, they imagine themselves free from fulfilling this Sunna whether they gain spiritual beneficence from it or not. This attitude is entirely wrong.
There is no Bayat with fake Murshid
One must know that if the spiritual guide is imperfect and is not capable of benefitting his disciples then the bayat has not occurred at all. If the disciple does not feel change then he must not hesitate even a little bit to leave that Murshid. One must leave fake Murshid if seeker has not freed from pride, malice, vanity, conceit and greed despite his guidance. If someone could not feel the love of Allah and His Prophet then, he must not follow that imperfect guide.
Rather, he must set out to search a perfect Murshid and swear bayat on his hands. Because, the orders of bayat are similar to those of marriage (Nikkah), as both create a sacred and deep bond. Just like marriage with an eunuch cannot happen, similarly, the bayat with an imperfect Murshid cannot happen as well. Therefore, the soon one must get rid of such Murshid and return to a perfect Murshid.
Different situations for renewal of Bayat
In case of imperfect spiritual guide
After bayat, if someone comes to know that the Murshid is imperfect. Moreover, he does not belong to any spiritual chain and does not follow sharia. Then, the bayat has not happened. Even there is no need to break it; one must look for a perfect one.
The descendants of a saint are often imperfect Murshid. They only earn money and enjoy political status through the inheritance of the saint’s seat. They have no concern with spirituality. May Allah save everybody from swearing bayat on their hands. They infact defame all the Murshids. The insensible people, following their ancestor’s footsteps, swear bayat with these inheritors of Saint. This is not spiritualism instead a devilishness. Hence, this bayat has not happened. Hence, without breaking it one should return to the perfect Murshid for covering the true spiritual levels.
If the Murshid has died and the disciple could not cover the spiritual waystations and his journey ended half way. Even he has not become capable enough to get benefit from his Murshid’s shrine, and then the renewal is must.
Bayat during childhood
If during the childhood, one swears bayat under somebody’s influence without any understanding. Now he has grown up and finds himself inclined towards another Murshid, he has the right to repeat bayat.
If seeker does not get any beneficence
If a Murshid does not pay any attention, at a stretch, to his disciple and does not train him spiritually. Then the disciple can go to another Shaikh. Moreover, it is lawful for the perfect Murshid to take his bayat and train him.
If the Murshid has lost and the disciple could not contact him physically and spiritually. Moreover, seeker does not have any information about him. Then, in this situation, one can renew his bayat with perfect Murshid.
Prominent signs of Murshid Kamil
According to Sultan Bahoo, the most prominent sign for recognizing a true Murshid are:
He grants the seeker sultan of invocation i.e Hoo ھُو (Sultan-ul-Azkar ) for invocation.
Moreover, he blesses contemplation (tasawur) of Ism-e-Allah Zaat.
He orders him to inscribing Allah’s name on the body (mashq murqoom-e-wajudia). The Murshid, who cannot grant all this, is not capable of Divine guidance and instruction.
Therefore, by breaking his bayat, one can sworn on the hands of the perfect Murshid who possesses all qualities.
Invitation:
Tehreek Dawat e Faqr is a Sufi Movement that invites you to swear Bayat.
Please contact to take Bayat in Sarwari Qadri order:
Khanqah Silsila Sarwari Qadri, Tehreek Dawat e Faqr:4-5/A Extension, Education Town, Wahdat Road, Post Office Mansoora, Lahore, Pakistan
Postal Code: 54790
Land Line # 0092 42 35436600
Mobile # +92 332 4809539, +92 321 8084100, +92 300 4737607, +92 321 4507000
From outside of Pakistan, please request for Online Bayat