Baiah in Shariah

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Baiah in Shariah(OATH OF ALLEGIANCE)

OR SPIRITUAL PATH OF ISLAM

By:Dr. Mohammad lsmaeel Memon Madani

Khalifa of Shaikhul Hadis Hazrat Maulana Zakariya(Rh.)Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Published by: DARUN NASHRUR RAHMANIYYAHLenasia, South Africa.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful.

Praise be to Allah, and peace be on those servants of Allah, the Prophets

(Alaihimus Salaam) who were chosen.

In Ramadhan 1406 A.H. corresponding to May 31st, 1986 this humble servant

arrived in Canada. I have met different people here on various occasions.

Many people have asked me different types of questions regarding the Baiah. I

answered their questions orally for the time being. However, I felt that such

answers should be presented briefly in a written form. This will serve a better

purpose than an oral answer; as this subject is found scattered with its details

in various books of Islamic Mysticism or Sainthood. In my opinion, it was

better to compile it as a separate booklet. So with the name of Allah, I began

to write it, and by the grace of Allah this subject was compiled and completed

in two days. May Allah Ta'ala make it beneficial for the writer and for those

who read it, Ameen.

Dr. Muhammad lsmaeel Memon Madani(at present a resident of 213 Erb Street West, Waterloo Ontario, NZL 1V6

CANADA)
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Baiah in ShariahReality of Baiah in ShariahThe proof of taking the Baiah is abundantly found in the Aayat of theHoly Qur'aan, and in the noble sayings of our beloved Prophet,Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Two Aayat of the Holy Qur'aan are presented as examples:

Those who are swearing allegiance unto thee (Muhammad) In reality they are

swearing allegiance to Allah the Exalted, because the object of this allegiance

is to obey the Commandments of Allah the Exalted, and when this is so, then

the hand of Allah is above their hands. Then (after allegiance) If anyone who

would break his oath or covenant (that will exhibit opposition instead ofobedience) then the punishment of breaking the covenant will fall on him, and

he who fulfills the covenant which he has made with Allah (in his Oath of

Allegiance) then Allah will bestow on him an immense reward in near future.

(Al-Qur'aan 48:10)

0 ! N a b i M u h a m m a d S a ll al la h u A la y h i W a s a l la m w h e n t h e M u s li mw o m e n c o m e t o y o u ( w it h t h e o b j e c t) o f t a k i ng t h e B a i a h ( O a th o fA lle g ia nc e ) o n t he f ol lo w in g p o in ts t ha t t he y w il l n ot jo in a n yp a r tn e r w i t h A l la h t h e E x a l t ed , w i l l n o t c o m m i t t h e f t, n o r c o m m i ta d u lt e r y , n o r k i ll t h e ir c h il d re n , n o r w i l l p r o d u c e a n y i ll e g it im a t ech i l d f o rg ing f a l se l y ( tha t i t I s f rom the spe rm o f the i r husband . ) ( I nt h e a g e o f i g n o ra n c e , i t w a s a c u s t o m o f A r a b ia n w o m e n t o r e a r u pa ch i l d o f som eone e l se , and c l a i m ed tha t i t was the ch i l d f rom the i rown husband , o r com m i t ted f o rn i ca t ion and the i l leg i t i m ate ch i l d sob o r n w a s a s c ri b e d t o t h e i r o w n h u s b a n d, w h i c h b e s id e s t h e m a j o rs i n o f a d u lt e r y, t h e s i n o f a s c r i b in g t h e c h i ld o f s o m e o n e e l s e , t othe ir hu sband is a lso invo lved on w hich g rea t w arn in g o fp un is hm en t h as b ee n fo re to ld in th e s ay in gs o f M uh am m adS a l l a ll ahu A l ayh i W asa l l am as re l a ted to i n Abu Dawood and N i saa i )a n d w i ll n o t d i so b e y y o u i n I s la m i c C a n o n ic a l L a w s ( w h ic h i n c lu d ea l l r e li g io u s c o m m a n d m e n t s . T h e n I f t h o s e w o m e n a c c e p t a l l t h e s ec o n di ti on s w h ic h f or m t he b a s is o f f a it h a n d a c ti ng u p o n t h e m ,p e rf ec ts o n e' s fa it h) t he n a cc e pt t he ir B a ia h a nd a sk A lla h t of o rg i ve ( the p rev i ous s i ns . ) Ve r i ly A l l ah i s Fo rg i v ing , M erc i fu l . ( A l -Q u r 'aan 60 : 12 ) .

The Holy Qur'aan and the sayings of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam are

full of such references regarding the Baiah. Presenting all of them here will

make the subject very lengthy. Whilst I was in Madinah, I found a speech, in a


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cassette recording of the learned scholar, the late Maulana Husain Ahmad

Madni Rahmatullah Alayh. I requested my spiritual guide to hear it. After

listening to it, he ordered that it be printed, which was subsequently published

under the title Shar'ee status of Baiah. This contains many sayings of

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam concerning this subject. In one of the

books of my Murshid (spiritual guide) entitled Inseparability of IslamicCanonical Law with that of spiritual Sufistic Orders~, many sayings of

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has been mentioned. Those who are

interested should read those books.

Definition of BaiahMufti Muhammad Shafi Rahmatullah Alayh writes: The words Baiah in fact

means to take a promise for performing some special deed. Its customary

method according to the practical way Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi

Wasallam Is to place the hands of both persons one on top of the other,

although placing the hands above one another is not compulsory. If you makea promise to do something, then it becomes religiously incumbent on you to

keep it, and breaking your promise is unlawful. (Ma'areful Qur'aan)

Kinds of BaiahRasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had taken the Baiah at different times

on different occasions. He had taken such covenants, at the time of accepting

Islam, or for performing actions according to all the Commandments of Islam.

Some times, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had taken the Baiah for

abstaining or avoiding certain sins, or for doing particular deeds.

Thus there are different kinds of Baiah:

Baiah for Islam: Is defined as when an infidel or a polytheist discards hisprevious convictions, seeks repentance and makes a covenant to accept

Islam, it is called Baiah in Islam.

Baiah for Jihad: This was done at the time of Be'it Ridwan In Hudaibiyahwhen Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had taken Baiah from his Sahaba

Radiallahu an hum, that if there would be a need of fighting against the

enemies of Islam, then they would not desert the battlefield, but would face

the enemy until the end.

Baiah for Caliphate: This is the Oath of Allegiance accepting a Vying personas the Caliph of the Muslims, who would rule over them. After the death of

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam the Sahaba Radiallahu an hum of

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam unanimously accepted Abu Bakr Siddiq

Radiallahu anhu as their Caliph and took the Oath of his Allegiance, and this

system continued in this manner.


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Baiah against committing major sins: As has been stated above with reference

to Ayah 12 of Surah 6O. There are many incidents in the Ahadith of Rasulullah

Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam that he took an Oath of Allegiance from men and

women that they would not make NOHA*.

Taking an Oath for performing Islamic deeds: Auf bin Malik AshJaeeRadiallahu anhu relates that there were 8 or 9 persons sitting in the company

of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam when he asked, Why do you not take

an Oath of NOHA.

Allegiance on the hand of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam?

We extended our hands, and asked him what was the issue on which we were

to take the Oath of Allegiance; 0 Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam?

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: On these issues: Worship only

Allah and do not Join partners with Him, perform 5 daily prayers and hear andobey all commands. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam also added some

thing in low tones, which was Do not beg anything from anyone. The narrator

says that he had observed the Companions of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi

Wasallam to the extent, that if the whip of a horse had dropped from their

hands, they would not ask anyone to pick it up for them, but would dismount

and would pick up the whip themselves. (Hayatus Sahaba, Tabrani, Abu

Nuaim, AlHakim, Al-Baihaqi and lbn Asakr etc.)

In this manner, there are clear proofs that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi

Wasallam took Baiah on the occasion of migration, victory, on death and on

other deeds and occasions.

Saintly Oath of Allegiance: Regarding this Shah Waliullah Rahmatullah Alayh

writes in the book Al-Qaulul Jameel, the Baiah which is inherited from the

Saints (mystics) can be given for many purposes.

1. The Baiah to avoid committing sins and to make sincere repentance.

2. The Baiah for blessing or benediction, which means to enter the fold of

the righteous people to attain auspiciousness, which is proved by a chain of

authoritative sayings of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam.

3. The Baiah for leaving overt or covert forbidden things, and making a firm

intention to act sincerely on Divine Commands, and attaching your heart to

Allah the Exalted and Sublime. This third kind, Is most fundamental. In the

first two kinds, the aim is to leave all major sins without insisting on minor

ones, and to practice all the ways of ordained obedience, such as Sunnat


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Muakkedah. The breaking of this Oath will involve persisting on committing

major or minor infractions against ordained Commandments of obedience. In

the third one, fulfilling the Oath means continuous steadfastness for

migration, or striving in the path of Allah, or performing spiritual exercises,

until one attains a light of satisfaction, and it becomes his instinctive

voluntary habit. In such a condition, he is allowed to enjoy certain thingswhich are permitted in the Canonical Law of Islam; or to keep himself busy in

certain activities, the completion of which requires a long time, such as

courses of religious sciences or judicial matters. The breaking of Oath refers

to the condition of making it defective before achieving any enlightenment of

the heart. (Shariat-u-Tariqat Ka Talazum Pg. 124)

This type of Baiah can be continuously traced since the days of Rasulullah

Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. In Quranic terminology it is called TAZKIYAH, and

in the tradition of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam it is called IHSAN

which is mentioned in the Hadith of Jibraeel. Later, it was entitled as

Tasawwuf or Mysticism. The order of spiritual leaders and their disciples is anoffshoot of this system. The four major tasks for which Rasulullah Sallallahu

Alayhi Wasallam was responsible, which are mentioned in 4 places in the Holy

Qur'aan. One of them Is Tazkiya (the purification of self) as Allah the Almighty

says:

It is He, who sent a Prophet for the illiterate people (of Arabia) who was from

their own (nation), and who recites before them the Aayat of Divine

Revelation, and purifies them (from false convictions, and immoral practices)

and teaches them the Book (Al-Qur'aan) and words of wisdom (which

include all internal or external branches of religious sciences). (Surah 62 Ayah

2)

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam used to train and purify his Sahaba

Radiallahu anhum. If he detected any special (spiritual) disease, he would pay

special attention for its reformation, and adopt different methods for its

elimination. After the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam the

Sahaba Radiallahu anhum used to take Baiah and this system was continued

by their followers, and the disciples of the followers. These spiritual leaders

then give permission to some to take the Baiah who in turn then can

administer this oath to others provided he is granted authority. It is not

permissible that everyone should administer the oath. This privilege is

reserved for those who have been given permission by a true spiritual leader.

Advantages of BaiahShaikhul Islam Husain Ahmad Madni Rahmatullah Alayh says that Sayyid

Ahmed Shaheed states that when a person takes a Baiah at the hands of a

chosen servant of Allah or saint then the honour and dignity which is accorded


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to him in the majestic Court of Allah the Exalted, supports the man who

becomes his disciple, and Allah's blessings begin to shower on the disciple,

and guards him in one of the two ways.

(1) If the spiritual guide has achieved a high station or rank in the eyes of

Allah the Exalted, then if the disciple of the spiritual guide is going to fall in apit of sinful activities, then Allah the Exalted informs the spiritual teacher of

the condition of his disciple, and the teacher is ordered to pull him out from

the pit of degradation, then the teacher adopts ways and means to save his

disciple from the situation.

Some times, Allah the Almighty Himself saves that disciple from falling into

the abyss of sins, or either orders some angel or some spiritual, invisible force

to guard the disciple from going astray, but these forces assume the shape of

disciple's spiritual guide. An example of this is the situation, which has

confronted Prophet Yusuf Alayhis Salaam. Zulaikha tried to seduce Yusuf

Alayhis Salaam, closed all doors, and took him in a private room, to satisfy hercarnal desires. Yusuf Alayhis Salaam avoided her but she continued to insist

and asked Yusuf Alayhis Salaam to comply with her wishes, so much so that

there was a possibility of Yusuf Alayhis Salaam committing some mistake, at

that juncture, Allah the Exalted appointed the angel Jibraeel Alayhis Salaam

to guard Yusuf Alayhis Salaam. Jibraeel Alayhis Salaam came to Yusuf Alayhis

Salaam assuming the form of his father Yaqoob Alayhis Salaam and standing

before him, pressed his finger with his teeth, and warned him not to make

such a mistake. Actually, Yusuf Alayhis Salaam's father Yaqoob Alayhis

Salaam, had no knowledge of it, but it appeared so to Yusuf Alayhis Salaam,

who was stopped and saved from a critical crisis. This is why Sayyid Ahmed

Shaheed says that some time when a disciple of a spiritual guide is ready tofall towards a sinful path, then Allah the Almighty guards him by means of an

angel or invisible forces. (Vide Shari status of Baiah pg. 25). Numerous

incidents of this type are stated in the books of Saints. For example, I relate

an incident from Tazkeratur Rasheed Maulana Aashiq Elahi Rahmatullah

Alayh writes:

A man, Zakir Shaghil (devoted in remembrance of Allah) used to remain in the

service of Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi Rahmatullah Alayh. His meals

were taken care of by a man who was a resident of Gangoh. He used to lead

prayers in a Mosque. We know full well that satan is always on the look out to

seduce a Muslim. That man fell in love with a woman and the mutual relation

reached such a point that a time was fixed for meeting together. There was no

possibility of acquainting anyone with this satanic engagement. So no one

knew how the satan was ruining the character of that person. On the night of

the appointment with that lady, the man after Ishaa served his master

(Maulana Gangohi Rahmatullah Alayh) and thinking that the master had fallen

asleep, he quietly walked out, the sky was quite clear, but after a few steps,


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he found the sky was suddenly overcast with dark clouds. He went ahead and

the clouds continued to move with him, till he reached the wall of that house

where the woman was standing according to her promise. Before he could talk

to her, there was such great thunder and lightning, that both of them were

terrified. That woman ran to her house thinking that if the family members of

her house were awakened by the thunder, and did not find her there, it wouldbe very detrimental for her character. On the other hand, the man ran back

fast, knowing that the bed of his master was outside, and that he slept near

the bed and if his master was to call him, and would find him absent, his

service will be at stake. So he ran as fast as he could to the Khanqah, without

fulfilling his desire of meeting the woman. When he entered the Khanqah, the

sky became quite clear. He went towards his master, peeped and found that

his spiritual master was sitting near the bed, head downcast, hands resting on

the bamboos of the bed in a position as if he was in deep meditation like a

spiritual Sheikh. He quietly reached his own bed, which was a little away from

his master's bed under a tree. When he reached there, then his master raised

his head and lay down.

In the morning, his spiritual master gave him advices indirectly, and described

the excellences of controlling one self from baser desires, which are a test of

a man's moral character. After hearing his master's advices, his heart was so

much overwhelmed by shame and remorse, that he used to weep over that

incident when ever he recollected it, and used to repent whole heartedly.

After a few months, Allah the Exalted strengthened his spiritual relation with

his master, who invested him with the honour of making him his deputy

(Khalifa). Then he returned to his native place. (Vide: Tazkeratur-Rasheed

Vol.11 pg. 149)

WarningsIncidents of this type have been written in connection with the Ahadith of

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and from the biographies of Rasulullah

Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam's, Sahaba Radiallahu anhum, and other notable

spiritual leaders and guides. But such type of unusual occurrence and

miraculous performance is not necessary for every Murshid or spiritual guide

and for every disciple all the time. Some spiritual guides never display any

miraculous performance. But, the Baiah at the hands of a Sheikh and his

companionship is always fruitful to a greater or to a lesser degree. It is not

necessary for a Sheikh to show miracles. The thing, which is necessary for a

Sheikh, is following Islamic Canonical Law and valid practices of Rasulullah

Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Then he is a true spiritual leader, even if he does

not show miracles. On the other hand, if a person does not follow Islamic

Canonical Law, and opposes the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi

Wasallam even if he performs unusual or supernatural jugglery, he is himself

lost and is misleading others.


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This is why Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi Rahmatullah Alayh writes:

(1) When a true spiritual guide is available, and one tries to become his

disciple, he should first understand the object of discipleship, as people

become disciples because of various personal ends.

(2) Some want to discover things, which are not known to others. It has been

already emphasized that it is not necessary for a Shaikh himself to show

miracles or to get the power of disclosure of unrevealed things, then how can

a disciple get such power.

(3) Someone thinks that by becoming a disciple of a spiritual leader, his

Murshid will be responsible for his forgiveness. And on the Day of Judgement,

he would not go to hell inspite of all his sins. This is completely incorrect,

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam warned his daughter Fatimah

(Radiallahu anha) by saying: 0! Fatimah save yourself from hell fire (by doing

virtuous actions).

(4) Some think that one glance from a spiritual leader will change him

altogether without any labour or struggle against bad tendencies. If this had

been the case, then the sacrifices which the Sahaba Radiallahu anhum of

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam made for upholding Islam would not

have been necessary. No one can be more perfect than Rasulullah Sallallahu

Alayhi Wasallam, but Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam laboured hard to

establish Islam. In exceptional cases, someone might have been changed by a

miraculous glance of a spiritual guide. But miracles do not occur all the time,

nor does every spiritual leader necessarily display miracles. It is a great

mistake to become a disciple Just for this reason.

(5) Someone says a discipleship should create a great fervour and enthusiasm,

uttering loud spiritual slogans. This will curb sinful tendencies, and will

eliminate and minimize the desire to commit sin, and doing good deeds may

become involuntary acts. The heart would then be free from all bad thoughts

and we would be immersed in a spiritual-unconsciousness. Outwardly this

idea looks better than others, but this is based on ignorance. Such conditions

are Sufistic spiritual stages, which are not under the control of a human being.

Such thoughts and states are no doubt good, but they are not the be-all and

the end-all. The real object is to achieve something, which is under your

control. On thinking seriously you would realize that such desires are a hidden

deceit of your ego. Your ego loves rest, comfort and renown. These conditions

are based on these things. A person who is dedicated to please Allah, he has

nothing to do with such desires. His condition will show that he is saying:

Separation or union is not important, the main thing is to earn the pleasure of

the beloved, because one cuts a sorry figure by asking his beloved to fulfill a

desire which is not according to the pleasure of the beloved.


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In other words, separation and union are only the phases; the main thing is to

earn the pleasure of the beloved. Asking the Almighty for a thing which is

other than Allah is regrettable:

Passing of the days is of no value. The remembrance of Allah should remain

with us, because there is none other Holier that Allah.

In other words, there is of no importance if different spiritual states come and

go. Our relation with Allah should be strengthened because nothing is Holier

than Allah:

0! My heart you are still under delusion if you differentiate between good luck

and misfortune. In other words, the heart is still dominated by vicious

thoughts, if it distinguishes between comfort and calamity.

Such a person suffers double anguish, because either he will undergo these

phases or not. If he has undergone these phases and has achieved somespiritual insight, he regards himself a perfect sufi, ends up there and neglects

piety and worship of Allah, leaves Salaat and does not regard it necessary for

himself and does not attach any value to them.

On the other hand, if he is unable to achieve any spiritual insight, then he

pines away in sorrow. And this is not only the characteristic of such a person,

but any one who would desire such things which are beyond his control will

always suffer from sorrow and grief.

(6) Someone says that the spiritual leader knows many efficacious spiritual

practices, an amulet may be requested from him whenever needed, or theSheikh's supplications are always granted, in worldly affairs and court

matters. A request may be made to the Shaikh for a special invocation and

every problem will be solved accordingly, as if the spiritual guide or Shaikh or

the saint is controlling the whole universe. Or we will learn such a thing from

him, as to become a holy, blessed person, and our touch or breath will cure all

patients suffering from different ailments. Such people regard such

performances as the sign of being a saint. But such actions have nothing to do

with sainthood. Such intentions are based on worldly desires hence it is a

compound mistake.

(7) Someone thinks that by continuous spiritual exercises he will be able to

discern some kind of divine light, or an angelic sound. This is also incorrect

and an illusion. Because It is not necessary that by spiritual exercises one

may perceive some illumination, or hear some thing unusual, as this is not the

main object. More over, if during spiritual practices, any light or sound or

colour is perceived then it might be a reaction of the mind of the disciple. It

has nothing to do with Invisible forces. If for this sake of the argument, let us

say that one saw something or heard an unusual voice, what purpose was


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served by it? No one can achieve the nearness to Allah by such things. One

can only achieve nearness to Allah by obeying and worshipping Allah

sincerely. Even the accomplices of satan also see angels sometimes, but they

remain as satans. And it is clear that after death even the disbelievers would

see invisible realities. Hence, a thing, which can be known to a disbeliever, is

not miraculous achievement. It becomes obvious that according to what hasbeen stated above, none of it is the primary aim of becoming a saint or a

spiritual personality. Therefore, all such thoughts should be discarded, and for

a Mureed the real aim should be to earn the pleasure of Allah, which can only

be achieved by obeying all the Divine Commandments and to keep His

remembrance always alive in the heart. This is what is taught by a spiritual

guide and the disciple acts upon it, whether one discerns one spiritual state

from another or not or whether one achieves a miraculous power or not, even

then, the real advantage of remembering Allah, and obeying His Commands,

which results in achieving the pleasure of Allah, will accrue in the life

hereafter, and he will enter Paradise as Allah is well pleased with him, and he

will have a beatific Divine vision of Allah the Exalted, and will be saved fromHell.

(Vide: Tasheel Qasdus-Sabeel pg. 17)

Another advantage of BaiahMaulana Muhammad Rafi Usman Rahmatullah Alayh describes another

advantage of the Baiah which he had heard from Dr. Abdul Hai Aarefi who

said: An authorized transmitter of Prophetic Ahadith is he who has learnt the

Ahadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam from an authorized professor

of Ahadith, and that professor had given him the permission of narratingHadith. This is the way in which we have received Ahadith from Rasulullah

Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. When a professor relates a Hadith, he describes

the uninterrupted chain of authorities on which that Hadith is based, that I

have received it from that professor, and he had received it from such and

such, until the chain of narrators reaches up to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi

Wasallam. Then that Hadith is also regarded as reliable. In this manner, that

student or pupil is also included in the chain of transmitters of that Hadith

which is a great blessing, because in transmission of Hadith his relation with

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam is properly inter-linked and becomes

authoritative. This is why the famous leading personalities of Ahadith used to

travel far and wide to make their narrated Hadith highly authoritative.

The same is true for the system for the Baiah that it is interlinked with all the

famous personalities, and finally reaches the greatest benefactor of humanity,

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Thus, we are also included in this

system of the Baiah and our relations is established with all religious divines

up to the greatest Prophet, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. All the


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stages of a saintly path are traversed smoothly with spiritual illumination, and

one achieves his object with a little labour and attention.

You can understand it by means of an example. Look at the bulb in front of us,

which is directly related with the powerhouse by means of continuous

electrical poles, which are interlinked by means of electrical wires. Theelectricity starting from the powerhouse is being transmitted to this bulb

through all those wires and electrical poles. Similarly, Rasulullah Sallallahu

Alayhi Wasallam who is the treasure house or source of all gnosis and spiritual

blessings, we receive Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam's spiritual

emanation through the chain of these religious divines. By taking a Baiah

properly in any Saintly order, the affinity one establishes with its famous

personalities, in fact, becomes a source of receiving blessing and spiritual

emanation from Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam provided one ~s a true

adherent, and he continuously informs his spiritual master about his various

states of inner consciousness, and carefully acts on the advices of his

spiritual master.

(Vide: Al-Balagh Aarefi pg. 154)

After the death of the Murshid: Some people have not been able to reform

themselves completely and the treatment of their spiritual diseases has not

been completed when the death of their Murshid occurs. Among them, some

continue their spiritual journey by attaching themselves to some other

remaining spiritual guide. But some do not attach themselves to anyone, and

thus remain deprived of the spiritual progress. Shah Waliullah Rahmatullah

Alayh has described many kinds of the Baiah, as mentioned above, out of

which three types are mentioned here:

Baiah for repentance

Baiah for blessing or benediction

Baiah with a firm determination to traverse the spiritual path. Reforming one's

inner self, to achieve nearness of Allah, is called traversing the spiritual path

towards Allah. The one who traverses the path is called Salik. A Salik can

fall into three categories, the beginner, the intermediate and the one who has

reached the highest degree. It is written in the book lmdadus Suluk, a

person who has no spiritual guide, his guide is satan.

During the treatment of physical diseases, if your medical doctor dies, then

you refer your case to some other doctor. The same is true for the diseases of

the heart or spiritual ailments, that until you are cured, or reach such a point

where you do not need the help of spiritual doctor, up to that time, you must

attach yourself to some living spiritual guide. Some people think that the

emanation of their Shaikh continues even after his death hence we do not


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need to go to another Shaikh. This idea is based on a misunderstanding. This

can be true only for those who have completed the spiritual training and

because of the strength of their relation with the previous Shaikh can

continue to derive benefit from it, but those who have not completed their

spiritual training, for them a living spiritual, guide is very necessary. The

treatment and reformation can only be provided by the living.

Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed says: It should be known that death is a bridge which

takes the intimate and close friends of Allah, the Exalted, up to their Beloved,

and such spiritual rewards are bestowed on them, which the living one can

rarely get. For this reason, they can be called living, but according to the

material condition of this world, undoubtedly they are dead. They cannot have

that power and capability which the living ones of this world possess. If such

power and ability could be achieved by remaining in proximity of the graves,

then all the people would have gone to the grave of Rasulullah Sallallahu

Alayhi Wasallam, which is in Madinah, and the whole system of spiritual

training would have become useless and meaningless. Hence, it is clear thatin the spiritual training of the people, the Divine procedure is that inner

spiritual Insight should be achieved by remaining in the company of the living

Saints.

(Vide: Serat-e-Mustaqeem)

Hence, those people whose Shaikh has died, without giving them permission

of administering the Baiah or if the permission was given~ on the condition

that the disciple should establish his relation with such a person, such

disciples should go to a living saint. If their late Shaikh had assigned someone

as their next teacher after his death, then they should go to him. If no one wasassigned, then the disciple should select someone from the Deputies

(Khalifahs) of his late Shaikh or any other true Saint compatible to him, who

possesses all the requisites, which are required for a spiritual guide, and

should traverse the spiritual path with his guidance and supervision.

Some people commit this mistake, that they want to attach themselves to

another Shaikh, but they search for the same qualities, which were in their

previous Shaikh, and when they do not find those qualities in others, they do

not become their disciple, hence their spiritual journey is stopped. It is clear

that a man does not always remain in one condition, either he will make some

progress or recede, but as their progress is stopped such people show marked

decline without even feeling it.

My Shaikh and spiritual guide, Maulana Mohammad Zakariyya Rahmatullah

Alayh writes: There is a necessary warning that those who were being

benefitted by the company of great Saints, fall in extreme deprivation after

their death, because they try to compare other living Sheikhs with the


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personalities of those who have passed away. This is a great mistake; hence

they cannot be benefitted by the blessed company of the then, living Saints.

Thus, the most Important warning, advice, or testament is that my friend

should not compare the living spiritual guides with those who passed away,

but should look at the living ones with the perspective that if they die, even

their equal will be difficult to find. It is evident that even other Prophets hadno comparison with Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, then how can it be

in Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam's Sahaba Radiallahu anhum, or the

followers of the Sahaba Radiallahu anhum and so on. It is unjustified to seek

the qualities of the by-gone Saints, in those who are living. It is a famous

saying of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam:

Th a t n o n e o f t h e c o m i n g, y e a r w i ll b e s u c h t ha t i t w o u ld n o t b em ore de te r i o ra t i ng than the p rev i ous one .

(Vide: Aap Beti (Autobiography) Vol.Vl pg. 435)

One more important advice: If you are selecting someone for taking Baiah,

that person should have all requisites of becoming a spiritual guide, as well as

be compatible with your nature, and it should be easy to avail of his company

and be benefitted from him, even if he is not a very great Saint. Some people

always search for a great Saint, whether they have compatibility with him or

not, whether they can avail his company nor can be benefited by him with out

undergoing difficulties. Maulana Abdul Qadar Raepuri Rahmatullah Alayh had

become a disciple of Maulana Gangohi's deputy, Maulana Abdul Raheem

Raepuri Rahmatullah Alayh, while Maulana Gangohi was still alive. Similarly,

during the lifetime of Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki, Maulana Khaleel Ahmad

Saharanpuri, and Shaikhul Hind Mahmoodul Hasan Rahmatullahi Alayhi, andothers had become the disciple of Haji Imdadullah's deputy Maulana Rasheed

Ahmad Gangohi Rahmatullah Alayh. Such examples abound in the lifetime of

great Saints. Many people became disciples of Saints of lower grade, and

Allah the Exalted bestowed on them high degrees of spiritual blessings. As a

matter of fact, the Absolute Divine Guide is only Allah the Almighty, all others

are ways and means to receive Divine blessing from Allah Ta'ala.

Some ignorant people mistakenly take Baiah from more than one Saint at a

time. This is unlawful and harmful for them. There should be only one spiritual

guide at a time and one must not take Baiah from any other Saint, as long as

the previous one is alive, provided that, that Saint is the real and authentic

one and has all the qualifications to perform the Baiah.

Praise be to Allah that by His grace most of the necessary things connected

with the Baiah have been recorded. The readers are requested to inform me

about those errors which may have crept in these pages, so that they may be

rectified in the next revision. I will be greatly indebted to them for this


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kindness. I conclude with the call and close with the words Praise be to

Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the universe, and peace and blessings of

Allah be on Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, the best of creation and on

his descendants and on all his Companions Radiallahu anhum.

DARUL ULOOM ILAHIYAHINSTITUTE OF ISLAMIC RESEARCH

ILAHI BAGH, BUCHPORA, SRINAGAR, 190011, KASHMIR, INDIA

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Baiah in Shariah

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