candidates as well as the quantity and the quality of the work they do. You know, Shura takes a long approach.
Anwar:All right. What do you have to tell us on ‘the pledge of allegiance’ (Bai’a)?
Hasan:Before we go into details of this issue, we need to know its meaning. According to Ibn Khaldun([11]), pledge is the loyalty to give full compliance, that is, people vow to their leader to commit themselves to him in regard to Muslims affairs and obey his orders; the pledge of allegiance or Bai’a is done through placing one’s hand in the hand of the leader.
Anwar:Was this originated by Islam?
Hasan:No, it was a common tradition among the Arabs even before Islam, but it was supported and celebrated by Islam.
Anwar:Was the Prophet (PBUH) given the pledge of allegiance?
Hasan:Yes, the people of Medina made pledge before
[11]Ibn khaldun (1332 – 1406 AD) was a Tunisian Muslim historiographer and historian who is ofter viewed as one of The fathers of modern historiography, sociology and economics.
the Hegira([12]) and also after the Hegira by a tree; it was named ‘the pledge of gratification’ and mentioned in the Noble Quran:
(Allah was well pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance unto thee beneath the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down peace of reassurance on them with a near victory)48;18.
Anwar:Is the pledge of allegiance specifically for men?
Hasan:No, women also vowed allegiance to the Prophet (PBUH) as it is evident in this Holy Verse:
(O Prophet! If believing women come unto thee, taking oath of allegiance unto thee that they will ascribe nothing as partner unto Allah, and will neither steal nor commit adultery nor kill their children, nor produce any lie that they have devised between their hands and feet, nor disobey thee in what is right, then accept their allegiance and ask Allah to forgive them. Lo! Allah is forgiving, Merciful)60;12.
Anwar:Does this mean the pledge of allegiance is the basis for ruling?
Hasan:No, there is no evidence to that.
[12]Hegira also Hijrot or Hijra, is the migration or journey of the prophet (PBUH) and his followers from Mecca to Medina between June 21st and July 2nd in 622 AD.
Anwar:Then, how do you explain the pledge of allegiance given to the Prophet (PBUH)?
Hasan:The answer can put as the following:
· The pledge of allegiance that Muslims made to the Messenger (PBUH) was neither an inauguration nor recognition of his leadership. It was a commitment to obey him because he was sent by the Almighty Allah and he was already distinguished with leadership. So, they swore allegiance to emphasize their faith to his message.
· Pledge of Allegiance is a covenant between two people that demands commitment, loyalty and obedience to the person we are making this pledge to. Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) asserts this fact in this Hadith:“However, you owe me loyalty to the allegiance, sincerity when present and absent, responding when I call you and obeying when I command you”.
· There are explicit Scripts on the prophethood of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his leadership so much that the pledge of allegiance cannot stand a hinder before it.
Anwar:You look tired.
Hasan:Yes, let’s carry on our discussion tomorrow.
Symposium 46
Is Imamate Established through Allegiance (Bai’a) or the Scripture (Al-Nas)?
Anwar:Salam ‘Alaykom, Akhi Hasan!
Hasan:Alaykom As-Salam Wa Rahmatollah Wa Barakatoh! Allah grants you success for your commitment to acquire knowledge.
Anwar:Allah rewards you well for your generosity in providing us with this knowledge. Let’s continue what we started last time, if you please.
Hasan:Yes, of course! We said that the pledge of allegiance that Muslims made to the Prophet (PBUH) was not a means for inauguration; rather it was a commitment to obey him and follow his commands.
This is what the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) gives emphasis to in this Hadith:“If you believe in me, swear allegiance to obey me, to say prayers and pay almsgiving Zakat, to push the enemy away from me and not escape from wars”.
Anwar:So, can we conclude here that the allegiance made to Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) is beyond dispute?
Hasan:Yes, we can.
Anwar:Will you provide us with evidence to the fact that the Imamte is a Divine affair?
Hasan:Yes, there are words and incidents related to the Prophet (PBUH) that evidently prove the connection between the Imamate and the Almighty Allah, some of which are:
· When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) called for the Arab tribes to enter Islam, they started to come one after the other in groups. Bani Khamir was one of the tribes that met with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) during pilgrimage to Mecca (Al-Haj) and their chief said to the Prophet (PBUH):“You see that we vowed allegiance to you, as Allah showed you your enemies.
·
·So, will we be in control after you?”The Prophet replied:“It is up to Allah as He chooses whoever He wills”. I would like to focus on what the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said so you understand the point.
· The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sent Salit Bin Amr Al-Ameri with a message to the king of Yamamah([13]), Hauzah bin Ali Al-hanafi, who was Christian, in order to call him to embrace Islam. Salit went before the king and handed over the message. The king welcomed Salit, read the message and wrote a message back to the Prophet (PBUH) that“what a great and beautiful thing you are calling for. I am a national poet and their orator; the Arabs fear my status, so give me some authority and I will follow you”. Salit went back and read the message from the king of Yamamah, then the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:“I will not give him an abandoned land for that; may he perish, may what he has perish”.
· The words of the Most Exalted Allah in the Noble Quran affirms what the Prophet (PBUH) did and said:
[13]Yamamah: was a province southern to Najad. Now, it is located within Governorate of Alkharj in KSA.
(…Allah knoweth best with whom to place His message…)6;124.
As long as the Imamate is the same as the Prophethood in regard to purpose and role, it is unquestionably a Divine affair.
Anwar:It is quite clear now that the Imamate and leadership of the community cannot be subjected to election or nomination. It is a Divine position written in the Scripture by the Most Gracious Allah.
Hasan:Yes, very well.
Anwar:Is it true that the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) did not commit themselves to this Divine inauguration, as it were.
Hasan:The true thing is that they just did not commit themselves to inauguration of Imam Ali (PBUH) which is the only Divine inauguration done at the hands of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Anwar:How is that?
Hasan:Do you know that Omar Bin Al-Khattab was inaugurated as a Caliph by Abu Bakr? Do you also know
that Othman was inaugurated as a Caliph by Omar? He chose him from a group of six!
Anwar:No, I did not know.
Hasan:Now, you know.
Anwar:So, they were nominated and inaugurated by one another. How do they say it was consultation (Shura)?
Hasan:Pay no attention to what they say.
Anwar:Anyway! Thank you very much indeed.
Hasan:Don’t mention it. See you soon, Inshallah.