Bay'ah

Bai ʿ a ( Arabic بيعة, DMG bai ʿ a) is a political ritual of Islam, in which a single person or a group of people a ruler promises allegiance and loyalty. Example here is the following promise of the first Muslims to the Prophet Muhammad. In many ways, the bay ʿ a corresponds to the oath of allegiance or the homage of Western political culture.

The bay ʿ a was adopted as a ritual from the ancient Arab tribal society. In uncertain, characterized by many dangers ratios depended a lot on, to prevent discord within the tribal society. By the bay ʿ a was clear who deserved the leadership of the tribal community and who recognized the person as a leader. In turn, the leader of his followers against for personal use was required. If he did not fulfill his duties as a leader, his followers no longer needed at their bay ʿ a bound to feel.

These procedures were incorporated into Islam. Mohammed had at various times his followers make the bay ʿ a, as for example in the two ʿ Aqaba meeting of 621 and 622, the bai ʿ at An-Nisa ʾ ( " oath of allegiance of women ") and the bai ʿ at al - Harb ( " allegiance of War" ) and later the bai ʿ at al- Ridwan ( the " godly allegiance "). Of the latter reported the Islamic tradition, building on the Quran ( see Sura 48:18 ) that the believers they made the Prophet under a tree at Hudaibiya.

Throughout the Islamic history the bay ʿ a was one of the most important political rituals. In particular, the caliph could be the beginning of her reign, the bai ʿ a afford to bring in this way their subjects in a contractual relationship, and vice versa quickly figure out which people guide their unrecognized and thus were dangerous.

Also in various Sufi orders that Bai ʿ a- ritual has found its way: here makes the Adept the oath of allegiance to the sheikh. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat the bai'at today is provided on the Khilafat ul- Massih.