Bay'ah (Ahmadiyya)

Bai'at or Bay'ah ( Arabic : بَيْعَة ) is an Islamic practice which is literally translated with the meaning to sell . In a religious context it means oath of allegiance . With this oath, the convert to a certain community declares himself/herself a part of that community. In an Islamic religious sense, this oath is the standard procedure of pledging allegiance to an Imam , a spiritual leader, or to sell ones self in exchange of the spiritual guidance given by an Imam or spiritual leader. A large Bai'at ceremony of initiation for entering the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is held every year during the annual gathering of the community in the United Kingdom . This ceremony is called the International Bay'ah . The ceremony is led by the head of the community, the Khalifatul Masih , at whose hand the new converts take the oath of initiation.

Bai'at or Bay'ah ( Arabic : بَيْعَة ) is an Islamic practice which is literally translated with the meaning to sell . In a religious context it means oath of allegiance whereby an individual or group declares itself in allegiance to a particular leader, cause or community. In an Islamic religious sense, this oath is the standard procedure of pledging allegiance to an Imam , a spiritual leader, or to sell ones self in exchange of the spiritual guidance given by an Imam or leader. It is known to have been practiced by the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his successors after him. A large Bai'at ceremony of initiation for entering the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community , based upon this prophetic model, is held every year during the annual gathering of the community in the United Kingdom . This ceremony is called the International Bay'ah . The ceremony is led by the head of the community, the Khalifatul Masih , at whose hand the new converts take the oath of initiation.

Khalifatul Masih V taking an international Bay'ah in 2008. Bai'at or Bay'ah ( ; pledge, initiation; literally a "sale" or a "transaction") is an Islamic practice of declaring on oath, one's allegiance to a particular leader. In an Islamic religious context, this oath is the standard procedure of pledging allegiance to a religious leader. It is known to have been practiced by the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his successors (caliphs) after him with those wishing to join the Islamic community. Within the Sufi tradition the term is used to refer to the process of initiation into a Sufi order with the idea of commending oneself to a spiritual master in exchange for the spiritual and moral guidance imparted by him. The Bay'ah is a practice that also forms a notable feature within Ahmadiyya Islam . Following the death of a Caliph , the leader of the Community, a pledge of allegiance is taken by the newly chosen Caliph from members of the Community based upon this prophetic model and the bay'ah is the standard procedure for formally joining the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Since 1993, a large Bay'ah is held on an international scale every year during the annual gathering of the Community. The Bay'ah is taken by the caliph at whose hand new converts pledge their allegiance and old members of the Community can reaffirm their pledges. The Bay'ah comprises the shahadah , prayers of repentance and a promise to abide by the Ten Conditions stipulated by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad for joining the Community.

Khalifatul Masih V taking an international Bay'ah in 2008. Bai'at or Bay'ah ( ; pledge, initiation; literally a "sale" or a "transaction") is an Islamic practice of declaring on oath, one's allegiance to a particular leader. In an Islamic religious context, this oath is the standard procedure of pledging allegiance to a religious leader. It is known to have been practiced by the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his successors (caliphs) after him with those wishing to join the Islamic community. Within the Sufi tradition the term is used to refer to the process of initiation into a Sufi order with the idea of commending oneself to a spiritual master in exchange for the spiritual and moral guidance imparted by him. The Bay'ah is a practice that also forms a notable feature within Ahmadiyya Islam . Following the death of a Caliph , the leader of the Community, a pledge of allegiance is taken by the newly chosen Caliph from members of the Community based upon this prophetic model and the bay'ah is the standard procedure for formally joining the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Since 1993, a large Bay'ah is held on an international scale every year during the annual gathering of the Community. The Bay'ah is taken by the caliph at whose hand new converts pledge their allegiance and old members of the Community can reaffirm their pledges. The Bay'ah comprises the shahadah , prayers of repentance and a promise to abide by the ten conditions stipulated by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad for joining the Community.