Bai'yah
The Basis for Organization of
a Revivalist Party in Islam
Dr. Israr Ahmad
Shoba Samo Basr
Markazi Anjuman Khuddam-ul-Qur'an
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Introduction
The present booklet is a revised and edited version of a lecture on the subject of
Baiy'ah, delivered in English by Dr. Israr Ahmad, Ameer of Tanzeem-e-Islami. The
lecture was originally delivered in August 1995, in Elgin, Illinois (USA). It was first
published in the October-December 1996 issue of The Qur'anic Horizons, and now it is
being presented in the form of a booklet.
Dr. Israr Ahmad (b. 1932) is well-known as a scholar and teacher of the Holy
Qur'an. He firmly believes that the pathetic and wretched condition of the Muslim
Ummah today is a punishment from Almighty Allah (SWT), the cause being the
dereliction of individual and collective duties on the part of the Muslims. The only
way to salvation, therefore, is for the Muslims to repent with the true spirit of
repentance, and to strive for the fulfillment of all their Divinely ordained obligations.
The Muslims not only need to practice Islam in their individual lives, but it is also
their duty to spread and propagate the teachings of Islam throughout the world, and
to struggle for the establishment of Islam as a socio-political order so that justice and
peace can reign supreme.
Today in the Muslim world, we find that most of the Islamic movements
have taken either to the bullet or to the ballet. Dr. Israr Ahmad, on the other hand,
refers to the following saying of Imam Malik (RA): "The latter part of this
community will not be reformed except by following the same process through
which its initial part was reformed." He argues that the lack of success on the part of
various Islamic movements is actually due to their deviation, in one way or another,
from the way of the Prophet (SAW). Dr. Israr Ahmad has no doubt in his mind that
the revival and establishment of Islam will be possible only by adopting the
methodology of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). As derived from the study of the
Seerah, the methodology of the Prophet (SAW) involved the following stages: Calling
people towards the light of Iman, Organizing those who respond into a cohesive
force, Training them with respect to spiritual and moral purification and discipline,
Passive Resistance in the face of persecution and oppression, Challenge and Active
Resistance at the appropriate moment, and finally Armed Conflict. Dr. Israr Ahmad
has spelled out the details of these phases and their application in modern times in
his numerous lectures and writings. He has emphasized that the revitalization of
true faith by means of the Qur'an is an essential prerequisite for Islamic renaissance.
Concerning the final step, he believes that the evolution of social thought since the
time of the Prophet (SAW) implies that, in our times, a non-violent mass movement
can supplant a bilateral armed conflict, the latter not being feasible in the
contemporary world. He argues that it is now possible to bring about positive and
fundamental changes in Muslim societies by means of popular movements —
consisting of peaceful agitation and leading to civil disobedience, if required — while
strictly refraining from all sorts of violence. The struggle to revive and re-establish
Islam, however, requires a disciplined organization.
According to Dr. Israr Ahmad, the Western constitutional and democratic
model works satisfactorily as the basis of organizational structure for community
work, institution building, and da'wah work. However, he argues that this model is
not suitable for the purpose of establishing a truly revivalist party. Further, Dr. Israr
Ahmad also points out that the organizational model we find in the Seerah of the
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is based on baiy'ah (pledge of allegiance). The Prophet
(SAW) was a Messenger of Almighty Allah (SWT) and every command from him
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had to be followed; the reason he took baiy'ah from the Companions (RAA),
therefore, was only to leave a model for his Ummah. The Caliphs after him continued
the same system, and after them almost all of the revivalist movements have adopted
the same system of baiy'ah for the purpose of organization. In the Western
constitutional and democratic model, a number of people who want to achieve the
same goals get together and form an organization in which the majority vote is
decisive. In the system based on baiy'ah, on the other hand, one person gives a call
that he is going to initiate the struggle for the revival and establishment of the Deen
of Allah (SWT); he then invites people to join him in this cause (Cf., Surah Al-Saff
61:14). In such a system, the leader (or ameer) is required to consult with his
associates (or rufaqa) but is not bound by the majority decision (Cf., Surah Aal-e-
Imran 3:159). The only difference is that while each and every command given by the
Prophet (SAW) had to be followed, the leader of a revivalist party can be obeyed not
in an absolute sense but only within the bounds of the Shari'ah (i.e., fil Mar'uf).
Dr. Israr Ahmad has made it clear elsewhere that no revivalist party can
claim for itself the status of Al-Jama'ah, a term applicable only to the collective
organization of the entire Muslim Ummah under a single leader or ameer. Although
ideal from the Islamic perspective, this unified state of the Muslim Ummah does not
exist in the real world. Dr. Israr Ahmad believes that the internal discipline of a
revivalist party that is working to re-establish Islam should be based on the Islamic
ideal of "listening and obeying" to the ameer, a discipline that can only be achieved
by following the Prophetic model of baiy'ah. He is firmly of the opinion that an
amorphous (and anonymous!) body of Islamic workers, scattered all over the world
and without a well-defined leadership, hardly merits the expression "the Islamic
movement." It is at best a hypothetical entity. Going beyond "creating a New
Civilization of Islam," Dr. Israr Ahmad is aiming at a concentrated, centralized, and
concerted effort to establish Islamic socio-politico order in toto, initially in Pakistan
and then in other states. For this he is following the prophetic model of organization
in the form of bai'yah and well-disciplined party structure.
Dr. Ahmed Afzaal
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In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam! The topic of my lecture this evening is The Importance,
The Nature, and The Basis for Organization of a Revivalist Party in Islam, with Special Reference to the
Institution of Bai'yah.
All of you are well aware that I am, basically and essentially, a student of the Holy Qur'an,
and, in addition, since I also try to share with others whatever understanding I gain from the
Holy Book, you can also call me a teacher or a tutor of the Qur'an.
The Relevance of Sunnah
However, I am going to base today's lecture primarily on some traditions of Prophet
Muhammad (SAW), and only secondarily on Qur'anic verses. Why so? Let me explain this by
giving you an example.
Every Muslim is cognizant of the importance that the Holy Qur'an attaches to the
"establishment of Salat." Although we find that all the essential constituents of Salat —
including qayam, ruku', sajdah, wudu, and tayummum — are mentioned in the Qur'an, a
systematic scheme of performing the Salat cannot be derived from these scattered references.
We have no other option but to go to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for guidance,
because it is only there that we would find the various parts of Salat joined and arranged in a
manner that can be described as a systematic pattern.
Similarly, the subject of Organized Revivalist Struggle in Islam cannot be dealt with
satisfactorily without resorting to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Even though we
find the different elements and constituents of this subject scattered in different places
throughout the Holy Qur'an, we still need the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) if we are to have a
complete and full view of the concept of Organization in Islam.
The Forgotten Truth
The first tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that I want you to focus your attention on
is the one reported by his Companion Harith Al-Ash'ari (RAA). This hadith has been included in
Mishkat Al-Masabih (Kitaab al-Imarah), Musnad of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (RA), and the Jame'
of Imam Tirmidhi (RA). The wording of this hadith is extremely important. Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) is reported to have said:
I declare obligatory upon you five things; Allah (SWT) has commanded me to do so. They are:
organization, listening, obeying, making Hijrah, and making Jihad for the cause of Allah.
I assume that most of the brothers and sisters in this audience may be hearing this hadith
for the first time. Please compare this hadith with the one which deals with the five pillars of
Islam. According to this, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said:
Islam is based upon five things: the Shahadah that there is no god except Allah and that
Muhammad (SAW) is His messenger, to offer the Prayers, to pay Zakat, to perform Hajj, and to
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fast during the month of Ramadan.
As you know, the familiar concept of the five pillars of Islam is actually based upon this
tradition. And this is a very well-known hadith, very often repeated, very often narrated.
Although if you consider its wording carefully, you would realize that no explicit order is being
given here. That Islam is based on five things is not a command; rather, it is a simple statement
of fact. On the other hand, in the hadith that I have quoted, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has
very emphatically ordered us to adhere to these five things — organization, listening, obeying,
Hijrah, and Jihad. Yet this hadith is not as popular as the one about the five pillars. In fact, a vast
majority of Muslims is virtually oblivious of such a tradition. Let me narrate an incident here.
This happened about twenty years back. I came across this hadith through Maulana Abul
Kalam Azad who first quoted it in 1912 in his magazine Al-Hilal, and also through Maulana
Sayyid Abul 'Ala Maududi who quoted it in one of his lectures delivered in 1946 in Muradpur
in the Sialkot District (later published as a booklet entitled Shahadat-e-Haq). However, neither of
them gave the source of this tradition. That is, they did not mention as to where from did they
get this hadith? I was curious about the source, and so I approached a prominent scholar of
Islamic sciences, who was in fact a Sheikh-ul-Hadith (an expert and a teacher of hadith) at an
important Islamic institution in Lahore. I asked him about the source (maakhaz and sanad) of this
tradition. And he said: "The wording of this hadith is rather unfamiliar. I don't recall it."
Now the amazing thing is that this tradition, as I mentioned earlier, is included in Mishkat,
which is the primer of Ilm Al-Hadith, the very first book that is taught in this discipline. Still, an
'alim who is considered an authority in hadith could not recall reading or hearing these words.
Is it not a very serious matter indeed? There has to be a reason why a significant hadith would
just vanish from the consciousness of both, the scholars and the general public.
How We Lost Our Way
As you know, Islam is much more than a religion; it is, in fact, the all-encompassing Deen,
based upon absolute and unconditional obedience to Almighty Allah (SWT). It includes
"religious" features — that is, a set of metaphysical beliefs, modes of worship, social customs
and rituals, as well as what is commonly regarded as the "secular" elements — those dealing
with social, economic, and political spheres of human life. During the long period of decline of
the Muslim Ummah, starting from the end of the Rightly Guided Caliphate down to the present
century, what has happened is that slowly and insidiously our concept of Islam has undergone
a total transformation — decay, to be more exact. As a result of this transformation, Deen has
been turned into a madhab, a mere religion. The focus is now restricted to the dogmatic and
ritualistic framework of Islam, while the issue of establishing and maintaining the Deen as a
politico-socio-economic order has slowly lost its significance and has gone completely into
oblivion.
During the era of Western Colonialism, we came across the "religion" of Christianity. As
you know, this is a very peculiar religion, in that it has no law, no Shari'ah. Christianity consists
of a dogma, some ethical and moral teachings, a bit of mysticism, and that is all. Christianity
does not prescribe any politico-socio-economic system. It does not possess even any legal
frame-work. So, under the impact of Western imperialism, we started to use the English word
"religion" — more suited to Christianity — with reference to Islam, and began to view this
God-given Deen as nothing more than a private affair. The dominant system of Muslim lands as
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well as the law that was enforced upon us was no longer Islam; rather, it was an entirely secular
polity that was dictated by our European masters. When the collective aspects of Islam went
out of our sight, they inevitably went out of our mind as well. The result is that many of the
Muslims find it incredible when they are told that Islam has a complete and viable politicosocio-
economic system of its own.
Thus, we find that, during the centuries of decline, the concept of Islam as a Deen vanished
from our minds. Even during the Colonial rule, we were allowed to have our own beliefs; we
were free to perform Salat, to pay Zakat, to fast during the month of Ramadan, and to perform
Hajj; we were also free to celebrate the birth of our children with aqeeqa, to solemnize our
marriages with nikah, and to bury our dead in the traditional manner prescribed by the Sunnah.
That is why these aspects of Islam continue to remain under our focus. But since during the
Colonial rule our social system, our economic system, and our political system were no longer
in practice, these aspects of Islam gradually faded away from our collective mind.
The Meaning of Hijrah
Now, let us examine more closely the words of the hadith under discussion. We are going
to analyze the five things ordained by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in reverse order, and you
will know the reason for this in a short while. First of all, let us consider the last two items —
Hijrah and Jihad. These are actually two aspects of the same entity. As you know, we often come
across the negative aspect before the positive one. For instance, we say "There is no god except
Allah." First there is a negation of all gods, followed by the affirmation of Almighty Allah
(SWT) as the only being worthy of worship and absolute or unqualified obedience. Similarly,
we find that Hijrah is a negative way of expressing the same obligation that is positively
represented by the term Jihad. In Hijrah, you leave something; in Jihad, you strive towards
something. So Hijrah and Jihad are, so to say, two sides of the same coin.
There are numerous levels and stages as far as both Hijrah and Jihad are concerned, but I
will present before you only the first or the initial level and then the final or the ultimate level. I
hope that you would get a fairly clear idea of the different levels of these two obligations by
becoming aware of their first and last stages.
What is the first stage of Hijrah? What is its beginning? Where does the process of Hijrah
start? Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked this question: What kind of Hijrah is supreme?
Which Hijrah is most valuable in the sight of Almighty Allah (SWT)? Please note the answer
that was given by the Prophet. He said, the supreme Hijrah is that you give up whatever your
Lord doesn't like, that you abandon all those things and all those practices that are abhorrent
and hateful in the sight of Almighty Allah (SWT). This is the supreme kind of Hijrah.
If one is to decide today that he will live for the sake of Allah (SWT) and die for His sake
too, the first thing he will have to do is to make this kind of Hijrah. If there is any element of riba
or interest in his profession or his trading then he would have to purge them of it. If his social
life is full of practices that amount to transgressions of the Shari'ah, then he must give up those
habits and customs, irrespective of how much chic and trendy they may be in the sight of his
friends and his colleagues.
So, giving up whatever is not liked by Almighty Allah (SWT) is the first stage, the first
rung of the ladder of Hijrah. But what about its climax? What is the final and ultimate stage of
Hijrah? We know that the struggle to establish the Deen of Allah is obligatory upon all of us. If,
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during the course of that struggle, a time comes when all those who are engaged in this
endeavor are required to migrate, and to assemble at a specified place in order to accumulate
and concentrate all the available resources before launching the final offensive, then this is the
time for the final stage of Hijrah. One will have to leave his home, and properties, and friends,
and relatives, and even the much beloved and cherished homeland — not to raise the standard
of living, not to enjoy life in a comfortable and secure environment — but for the sake of
Allah's pleasure alone.
Think about the Hijrah that was made by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his Companions
(RAA) when they migrated from Makkah to Madinah. They left their homes, and families, and
their valuables. They left the city of their forefathers. They left the land where they had spent
their entire lives. They left the place where their fathers and their father's fathers were buried.
They even left the most precious and revered place in the whole world, the Kaa'bah. And they
migrated to a new and unfamiliar place. They migrated to Madinah.
And what was the purpose behind this migration? Was it to raise their standard of living?
Was it to prosper and flourish? Was it to increase their business prospects? You know what the
reason was. They migrated for the sake of Allah (SWT), to make the Deen of Allah supreme, and
for no other reason at all.
The Significance of Jihad
Now the other side of the coin. Jihad! What is the first stage of Jihad and what is its final
stage? Again, we find that a question was put to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), about the
supreme kind of Jihad. What sort of Jihad is most valuable in the sight of Almighty Allah (SWT)?
And the Prophet replied: the supreme kind of Jihad is that you struggle against your own baser
self, your own al-nafs al-ammarah, and make it obedient to Allah (SWT). In another hadith, the
Allah's Messenger (SAW) has said that the real mujahid is one who strives against the baser
desires of his own self. As you know, in addition to the fitrah or the spiritual soul, we also have
an animal being within ourselves. What I mean is that all of us have the lower instincts and
carnal desires of our animal self. And these instincts and desires are blind, as they want nothing
but their own immediate gratification. It makes absolutely no difference to these urges whether
this satisfaction comes from halal or from haram, i.e., from the permissible or from the unlawful.
So what are we required to do? We need to control these blind instincts and subjugate them to
the commands of Almighty Allah (SWT). And this, in fact, is the first level, the first rung of the
ladder of Jihad.
What about the ultimate and final stage of Jihad? Again, all of us are obliged to struggle our
utmost in establishing the Deen of Allah (SWT). If, during this struggle, a time comes when all
those who are engaged in this endeavor are required to come out and confront the forces of kufr
and shirk, and to fight and clash with these forces and to risk their lives in doing so, then this
will be the final and ultimate stage of Jihad. Thus, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to
have said that if a Muslim dies and he had neither participated in any war for the cause of
Allah (SWT), nor had he a desire to take part in such a war, then he dies in the state of a certain
kind of nifaq, i.e., hypocrisy, and not true Iman. If you have genuine faith in Allah (SWT), and
you know that it is your inescapable duty to make His Deen supreme and to establish His
Sovereignty, then you have to have a burning desire, a strong yearning to be able to participate
in the war for the sake of Allah (SWT). It may be that the time for such armed clash doesn't
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come in your life. As you know, many of the Companions (RAA) died before the Islamic
movement entered the phases of active resistance and armed conflict. They never got the
chance to participate in any of the battles. But, of course, the desire and the urge to fight in the
way of Allah (SWT) was there in their hearts. If there is no such desire then it means there is no
real Iman in the heart.
Organized Party Formation as an Inescapable Prerequisite
Now consider this question: If you were to undertake the twin obligations of Hijrah and
Jihad, do you honestly feel that this can be done without a united and disciplined party? Can
you fulfill these obligations alone? As an individual? Sure, you can strive against the sinful
impulses of your own nafs in isolation, but can you establish the Deen of Allah (SWT) in your
individual capacity? Is any single person that powerful and resourceful as to be able to
establish the Islamic System of Social Justice by working alone? The answer is definitely in the
negative. A party, an organized group is essential, unavoidable, inescapable. It is the cardinal
requirement for bringing about any change in the society. You have to organize as a party.
The hadith which we are discussing is very meaningful, in that the very first thing it enjoins
upon the Muslims is that they should to be in the form of a party. The party, the discipline, the
organization is to be seen, therefore, as a prerequisite for undertaking the last two obligations,
Hijrah and Jihad. At this point I would like to quote a few more ahadith about the importance of
collectivity, of jama'ah.
According to Imam Tirmidhi (RA), Umar Ibn Khattab (RAA) reported that Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) said:
It is obligatory upon you to be in the form of a party, and you are forbidden from being alone.
Satan becomes the companion of the person who is alone; but if there are two Muslims, he runs
away.
Note how the Prophet (SAW) has warned that if you are alone, not attached to a party or
group, Satan will find you an easy prey and he will be able to easily mislead you away from the
straight path.
According to another hadith, reported by Abdullah Ibn Umar (RAA), Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) said:
The Hand of Allah is upon the jama'ah. Whoever cuts himself off from the group is thrown into
Hell-fire.
It means that the help, the succor, the assistance, and the support of Almighty Allah (SWT)
is for the collectivity of Muslims, not individuals. And if a Muslim separates and detaches
himself then, according to the hadith quoted above, he becomes an easy prey for Satan who will
mislead him from the straight path. And what will be the result in the Hereafter? He will be
thrown in the fire of Hell.
Third hadith is actually a saying of Umar Ibn Khattab (RAA), and so, technically speaking,
it is an athar (which is a saying, practice or tacit approval of a Companion of the Prophet) and
not a khabar (which is defined as a saying, practice or tacit approval of the Prophet himself).
Umar Ibn Khattab (RAA), the second caliph of Islam, says that,
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There is no Islam without jama'ah, there is no jama'ah without an ameer, there is no use having
an ameer if he is not obeyed.
Importance of Collectivity
Before proceeding further, let me give you a glimpse of the general nature of our Deen. I
have mentioned in the beginning the great importance that our Deen attaches to the institution
of Salat. Please note that for men, it is necessary to perform the obligatory Salat in congregation,
unless there is a genuine excuse. The offering of the congregational prayers exhibits in a
symbolic form the general discipline that is required by Islam in all matters.
What happens during congregational Salat? There is one leader or Imam who is in charge,
and all others follow him in a disciplined manner. No one can perform any movement ahead of
the Imam. We must respond to his cautions. If someone raises his head from the ruku' ahead of
the Imam, he'll lose his Salat. Even if the Imam commits a mistake, all you are allowed to do is to
point this out by saying Allaho Akbar or Subhan Allah. But if the Imam persists in his mistake,
then it doesn't mean that you can simply walk away from the congregation. Even if you are one
hundred percent sure that the Imam has committed an error, you are still not allowed to leave
the jama'ah, the congregation. Of course, you can discuss the matter after the Salat is over, and
the Imam must repeat the Salat if he has indeed committed a mistake, but the important point is
that you are obliged to remain with the congregation even if you don't fully agree with the
leader.
Now consider the basic institution of the Islamic social system. What is that fundamental
bond nikah and what is its essence and significance? A woman agrees to obey her husband —
within the limits set by the Shari'ah, of course, as you are not allowed to obey anyone if that
obedience necessitates any transgression of the Divine law — and offers herself in marriage to
him, who accepts the offer. There is no practical way of establishing a strong and healthy family
system except through regimentation and discipline. That is why Islam has made it obligatory
upon the wife to obey her husband. Of course she can advise, recommend, suggest, argue, and
plead; but if she does not obey her husband then she is acting contrary to the teachings of Islam.
Let me give you a third example. If two people are traveling together, then, according to
the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), one of them should be the ameer and he should
lead and guide the other. If two people are going to offer their obligatory prayers, then one
should act as the Imam and the other would be the muqtadi or follower. All this clearly
demonstrates the importance of collectivity in Islam, and also sheds light on the nature of
organized and collective life in our Deen, which is our next topic.
The Islamic Concept of Party Organization
In order to facilitate our understanding of the nature of revivalist party's organization in
Islam, we should have before us an outline of how this issue is being dealt with in the
contemporary world. The modern world has all sorts of associations, institutions, institutes,
corporations, leagues, social and business organizations, political parties, and special interest
groups. All these are different forms of organization. In each one of them there are two items of
primary significance: the memorandum, which describes the purpose, aims, and objectives of the
proposed organization, and the constitution.
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In view of the universal methods that are employed in this respect, we find that there are a
number of features common to all such constitutions. For instance, there are provisions for
membership, so that a person who accepts the memorandum and the constitution or the articles
of association, and agrees to fulfill the conditions of membership, is admitted as a member. In
this way, the organization grows from below. The members would then elect their president or
chairman or director, whatever you may call him. Then elections are to be held for a managing
committee or an advisory board or some other forum of shura. Finally, the issue of division of
authority and responsibilities has to be settled and a system of checks and balances has to be
evolved in order to monitor those with authority.
Thus, we see that all these provisions are found, in one form or another, whenever an
attempt is made to establish some sort of an organization. All these different forms of
organization are permissible and perfectly mubah in Islam. There is nothing in either the Holy
Qur'an or the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that can repudiate the legitimacy of all
these different types of organization.
What, then, is my point? While the various forms of organizations for group activity
prevalent in the world today are permissible in Islam, I would like to make it very clear that no
reference about any of these can be found anywhere in the Holy Qur'an or in the life and the
Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In spite of this, I still believe that none of these are
haram or prohibited in Islam. This opinion is based upon one of the fundamental principles of
Islamic jurisprudence: everything and every practice is to be considered lawful and permissible
unless proved otherwise.
On the other hand, the type of organization that we come across repeatedly in the Holy
Qur'an, in the life and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) — as well as in the whole of
the thirteen hundred year's history of the Muslim Ummah — is based upon a pattern which is
unlike that usually found in today's world. I will discuss this pattern in a short while.
Basic Terminology
Before proceeding further, let me explain two key phrases or terms in relation to the
Islamic concept of party formation. The first term is that of ameer. What does it mean? There is a
related word in Arabic, aamir, which is used in Urdu in place of the English expression
"dictator." Now, as you know, the word "dictator" is used in a pejorative or derogatory sense.
It is certainly not considered to be a polite or respectful thing to say about a leader that he acts
in a "dictatorial" manner or that he is a "dictator." This is because we live in an era of
democracy and people's rule, and therefore anything considered contrary to the high ideals of
democracy is to be shunned at all cost. But please note that the word ameer is more intense and
stronger than simple aamir.
Anyone who is familiar with the technical nuances of Arabic language will appreciate this
point: when a person is performing a certain act, he is faa'il, e.g., qadir, 'alim, aamir, etc., but
when the capacity and the characteristic of performing that act becomes an integral and
permanent part of his personality, then he will be called fa'eel, e.g., qadeer, 'aleem, and, similarly,
ameer. So, please note again that the term used in the ahadith to describe a leader is ameer, which
is much stronger and more profound than aamir.
Let me quote a hadith here. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said that whoever obeys me,
he actually obeys Almighty Allah (SWT), and whoever disobeys me, he is guilty of disobeying
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Almighty Allah (SWT); moreover, a person who obeys the ameer appointed by me actually
obeys me, and he who disobeys the ameer appointed by me, disobeys me.
Of course, when the Prophet (SAW) was alive, he himself was the ameer of Muslims,
commander in-chief of the army, and head of the state. But even at that time there was a chain
of leaders who were appointed by him, and these leaders were in charge at different levels of
authority. For instance, in a ghazwa or battle, the chief commander was, of course, Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) himself, but there were numerous subordinates under him: there would be
a commander of the right wing, a commander of the left wing, and so on. Then each wing was
composed of various smaller units, and these smaller units would have their own commanders.
Thus, there was a chain of local leaders or commanders or umara, and that chain had to be kept
intact and unbroken at all times. Any breach in this sequence of authority would have,
inevitably, resulted in chaos and disorder. And this is exactly what happened during the battle
of Uhad.
In the battle of Uhad, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had appointed a group of fifty archers —
under Abdullah Ibn Jubayr (RAA)— on a hilly pass a little to the left of his main force, and had
told them not to leave that place even if they see that the rest of the Muslims have been killed.
But when, during the course of the battle, the archers saw that the enemy was defeated, they
did exactly what they were prohibited from doing: they left their post. The local commander,
Abdullah Ibn Jubayr (RAA), warned them not to leave their place, ordering them to stay. But it
seems that the archers argued, saying that the order of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was
binding in case of defeat, and now we have won. The battle is finished and the disbelievers are
routed, so there is no point in staying here.
Thirty-five archers disobeyed their local commander. The enemy horsemen saw their
opportunity to attack from the rear, and played havoc in the unprotected and exposed ranks of
the Muslim army. Seventy Muslims were martyred due to this mistake. Almighty Allah (SWT)
punished the entire Muslim force for this show of indiscipline and disobedience of the local
ameer.
Think about the extreme importance that our Deen attaches to discipline. Abdullah Ibn
Jubayr (RAA) was directly appointed by Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and after the death of the
Prophet, the Muslims elected their own khalifah or ameer with mutual consultation. But there is a
hadith, reported by Irbad Ibn Saaria (RAA), according to which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has
said that it is obligatory upon you to listen and obey even if a slave establishes himself as your
ameer (i.e., without your consent), provided he doesn't give any order that is contrary to the
Shari'ah.¨ This is the value of discipline and collectivity, that even if someone gets hold of the
power without the approval of the Ummah, we are still required to obey him within the limits of
the Shari'ah, in order to avoid unnecessary chaos and disarray. Disobedience is permissible only
when there is clear and flagrant violation of the Shari'ah, and armed rebellion is advisable only
¨ This tradition as quoted by Imam Nawawi (RA) in his Arba'ain includes the following words: "I counsel you to
fear Allah (may He be glorified) and to listen and obey even if a slave establishes himself as your leader." Imam
Nawawi (RA) has quoted this tradition on the authority of Imam Tirmidhi (RA) and Imam Abu Daud (RA). But the
wording of this tradition, as it appears in the collection of ahadith by Imam Tirmidhi (RA) and Imam Abu Daud
(RA), as well as those by Imam Ibn Majah (RA) and Imam Ahmad (RA), does not include the words "establishes
himself as your leader." In his Sharah of Sahih Muslim, however, Imam Nawawi (RA) writes under another hadith:
"If a slave establishes himself as an ameer (through force) and runs the affairs of the government in accordance with
the Qur'an and Sunnah, then it is obligatory (for the Muslims) to obey him. However, under normal circumstances
when the leaders are being elected by the free choice of the Muslims, it would not be right to elect a slave."
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if there is enough strength available to bring about a permanent and stable change.
But there is another type of self-proclaimed ameer, an ameer like myself. What kind of ameer
am I? I want to launch a revolutionary struggle in Pakistan in order to establish the Islamic
System of Social Justice, or, in other words, to establish the system of Khilafah. But I cannot
achieve this on my own. I need associates and colleagues and comrades. So what did I do? I
made my ideas known to the general public, and I made this call: Who would help me in this
noble endeavor? Who would join hands with me? Who would support me in establishing the
sovereignty of Almighty Allah (SWT) in the world?
Nobody has elected me an ameer. I started my mission, I gave my program, I charted a
methodology. Whoever agrees with all this can come and join hands with me and become my
associate. This type of organization grows from top down. Since people responded to my call, I
became their ameer. No election is needed here.
So, now you can appreciate that there are four different types of umara:
• First, an ameer who is appointed as a leader of a local community or unit by some
higher authority, i.e., by a higher ameer. The umara nominated by Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
were of this variety.
• Second, an ameer who is elected or selected by the Muslims as their ruler through
mutual consultation. The four Rightly Guided Caliphs belonged to this variety.
• Third, an ameer who becomes ruler of the Muslims by taking control of the power
with force and without their consent. Most of the kings and emperors of the Muslim history, as
well as the military rulers of today, belong to this variety.
• And, finally, the person who wants to undertake some mission for the cause of Islam
and needs the help and assistance of other Muslims; he is initially a da'ee (one who calls or
invites people) because he starts by calling people to join hands with him, and when people do
join him, he naturally becomes their ameer.
So far, we have been trying to understand the meaning and implications of the word ameer,
as used by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The second term that is noteworthy in this regard, and
this too belongs to the Qur'an and the Sunnah, is sam'-o-ta'ah, that is, listening and obeying. Please
note that, just like "enjoining the good and forbidding the evil" is an expression of great
significance made immortal by the Holy Qur'an, the words "listening and obeying" have also
become a permanent part of the Qur'anic terminology and idiom. Moreover, just like "enjoining
the good" cannot be separated from its mate "forbidding the evil," we see that "listening"
cannot be severed from its twin "obeying."
All of you know that listening and obeying is actually the proverbial slogan or catch phrase
of the military. All that an ordinary soldier is supposed to do is to listen and obey, i.e., to receive
orders from his superiors and to carry them out. He is simply not allowed to argue with his
commander. He cannot demand the reason or the strategy behind each and every move that is
being made in the battle front. It is obvious that a soldier would be most effective if he does as
he is told by the higher authority in command.
This great discipline of the military is vividly depicted in the poem Charge of the Light
Brigade by Tennyson, describing an event that took place in 1854 during the Crimean War.
What happened was that the brigade was given the order to charge and advance towards the
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enemy lines. But there were cannons everywhere, right, left, and front. It was obvious to every
man that someone has made a blunder in issuing such a suicidal order. But nobody argued, no
one demanded an explanation, no one questioned the rationality of the order. They all charged
forward, just as they were told, and perished:
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Let me quote three verses of the Holy Qur'an, and I hope that they would sufficiently
illustrate the importance of listening and obeying in the context of the Islamic way of life.
The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him by his Lord, and so do the faithful.
Each one believes in Allah and His angels, and His Books, and His messengers, and (say that)
we make no distinction between the messengers. And (in addition) they say: "We listen and we
obey, and we seek Your forgiveness, O Lord, for to You we shall return in the end." (Al-
Baqarah 2:258)
Remember the favors He bestowed on you, and the covenant He cemented you with, when you
said: "We (agree to) listen and obey." Heed Allah for he knows the secrets of your hearts. (Al-
Ma'ida 5:7)
So heed Allah as much as you can, and listen and obey.... (Al-Taghabun 64:16)
The Basis of Organization in Islam
I have already pointed out that the type of organization that we repeatedly come across in
the Holy Qur'an, and in the life and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) — as well as in
the entire thirteen hundred year's history of the Muslim Ummah — is based on a pattern that is
distinct from that usually found in today's world. And this pattern is one of bai'yah, or "pledge
of allegiance." Now, the question is: what is meant by bai'yah?
The word bai'yah is from the Arabic verb" " meaning to sell. And what is the basic
nature of selling? Exchange! You exchange your dollars for a loaf or a cake. You exchange your
rupees for a bag of onions. Before the invention of coins and currency, people would exchange
one merchandise for another, and this, as you know, is called barter system. It makes no
difference whether you call the dollars the price and the loaf the merchandise, or you call the
dollars the merchandise and the loaf the price. This is because whenever there is selling, buying
is taking place as well. Both can be called prices as well as the commodities.
I have given you this background so that you can appreciate and feel for yourself the
beauty, the elegance, and the splendor of the following Qur'anic verse:
Allah has verily bought the lives and possessions of the faithful in exchange for Paradise. They
fight in the cause of Allah, and kill and are killed. This is a promise incumbent on Him, as in
the Torah, so the Gospel and the Qur'an. And who is more true to his promise than Allah? So
rejoice at the bargain you have made with Him; for this will be supreme triumph. (At-Tawbah
9:111)
This is one of the most important verses of the Holy Qur'an, but, unfortunately, it no
longer occupies the pivotal position in our lives as it did in the lives of the Companions (RAA).
This verse talks about a bargain or a transaction between the mo'min (the faithful, the believer)
on the one hand and Almighty Allah (SWT) on the other. In this transaction, Almighty Allah
(SWT) is the purchaser and the believer is the seller. When a person has Iman (true faith), it
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means that he has already committed himself to devote and dedicate his life, his capabilities, his
energies, his resources, his possessions, and his wealth for the sake of Almighty Allah (SWT)
and, in return, he is given the promise of the rewards of the Paradise in the life to come. This is
the bai'yah between the faithful and Almighty Allah (SWT). On the basis of this bai'yah, what are
the believers doing? They are fighting in the way of Allah (SWT), they are fighting to make the
Deen of Allah supreme, they are fighting to establish the Islamic Order in its totality. And,
during the course of this conflict, they are killing their opponents, the enemies of Allah (SWT),
and they are being killed by them as well.
The transaction between the believer and Allah (SWT) mentioned above is not a cash
bargain; rather, it's a credit bargain. I am required to invest all that I have, including my life
and property, for the cause of Almighty Allah (SWT). And what do I get in return? A promise.
A word of assurance from Allah that He will reward me in the Hereafter. Anyone can see that
there is a lot of risk involved in this venture. What if I don't get anything in return? What if I
am not compensated for my sacrifices? I am willing to surrender and renounce everything I
have in this world, but what if I don't receive any recompense? Surely I don't want to be a
double loser. So why should I make sacrifices? Isn't one in hand better than two in the bush?
It is quite natural to have doubts regarding the mere promise of a future payment. This is
exactly why Almighty Allah (SWT) has reassured us in a most emphatic manner that the
promise is on Him. Don't let any misgivings come in your way. Don't let any doubts or
suspicions stop you from striving in the way of Allah (SWT). The promise is on Him. He will
most certainly fulfill His promise. He has made this promise thrice: in the Torah, in the Gospel,
and then in the Qur'an. And who can be more faithful and trustworthy in his promise than
Allah (SWT) Himself? So rejoice and celebrate, because of this bargain you have made with
Almighty Allah (SWT). What you are asked to give up is so trivial and insignificant, and what
you'll get is so glorious and exalted. This, indeed, is the biggest triumph, the supreme and
ultimate success.
Here, we see that the verse under discussion starts with the verb " " and ends with the
noun " ". What is the difference between the two? The first refers to simple purchasing, the
second refers to the process of transaction between two parties. It was a common practice among
the Arabs that, when it came to buying and selling, they would argue about the price or the
quality of the merchandise, but when the deal was finally settled, they would shake hands with
each other. This handshake was a symbol that the bargain has been settled, that no party can
now go back on his words. This final agreement, symbolized by a handshake, is called " "
and this, in fact, is the basis of bai'yah.
The important issue here is that the transaction is to take place between Almighty Allah
(SWT) and the believer, but we cannot deal directly with the Lord and Creator of the universe.
It means that we need an intermediary, a go-between, to mediate this transaction. Allah (SWT)
is purchasing the life and possessions of a mo'min, and the mo'min is willing to sell, but who
would tell him how and when and in what manner to invest his life and possessions? For
twelve long years in Makkah, the order of the day was to remain passive, non-violent, patient;
in Madinah, the order was to go ahead, to fight, to confront. But who decided all this? Herein
comes the role of the organization, of the ameer, and of listening and obeying.
Indeed it is all very simple and logical. Almighty Allah (SWT) is the buyer, and mo'min, the
seller. In between these two was the hand of Muhammad. May Allah's peace and blessings be
upon him. The real purchaser or the buyer is, of course, Almighty Allah (SWT), but the pledge
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of obedience and allegiance was given to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Thus, the Holy Qur'an
says:
Those who swear allegiance to you (O Prophet!) indeed swear allegiance to Allah; and Allah's
hand is over theirs. Then whosoever breaks the promise, breaks it to his own loss; but
whosoever fulfills the promise made to Allah will receive a great reward from Him. (Al-Fath
48:10)
This makes it a trilateral agreement. Selling of the life and property by the believer to
Almighty Allah (SWT), but the promise of obedience to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The
mo'min, in effect, says to the Prophet (SAW) that my life and property is at your disposal, you
will tell me what to do with them, you will guide me as to how and when and in what manner
to sacrifice them. The ultimate purpose remains the attainment of Allah's pleasure and His
rewards in the Hereafter. This is bai'yah, pure and simple.
Please note that the wordings of the bai'yah that was given by Muslim men to Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) are not mentioned anywhere in the Holy Qur'an, although they are
described fully in ahadith. On the other hand, we find that the wordings of the bai'yah of women
(bai'yah al-nisa) are clearly mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. Thus, we read:
O Prophet, when believing women come to you and swear on oath that they will not associate
anything with Allah, nor steal, nor fornicate, nor kill their children, nor accuse others for what
they have fabricated themselves, nor disobey you in any rightful thing, then you should accept
their allegiance, and ask forgiveness of Allah for them. Certainly Allah is forgiving and kind.
(Al-Mumtahinah 60:12)
A study of the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) reveals that the most important bai'yah
that was taken by him after Hijrah was bai'yah al-ridwan, which was taken just before the treaty
of Hudaybiah. However, as regards the life of the Prophet (SAW) before his migration to
Madinah, we find two very notable oaths of allegiance, given to the Prophet by the Muslim
visitors from Madinah, or Yathrib, as it was then called.
The nearest point of Mina to Makkah is the valley of Aqabah, and it was here that, during
the annual Pilgrimage, six men from Yathrib embraced Islam after meeting with Prophet
Muhammad (SAW). The next year, five of them repeated their Pilgrimage and brought with
them seven others. These twelve people pledged themselves to the Prophet (SAW), and this is
known as the first pledge of Aqabah. The wordings of the oath taken by these twelve are identical
with the wordings of the bai'yah of women, as they appear in the Qur'anic verse quoted above.
The next year, seventy two men and two women came from Yathrib and they pledged their
allegiance to the Prophet (SAW), and this is known as the Second pledge of Aqabah. The wording
of this bai'yah is extremely significant, but we shall discuss it later.
Please note that there were a number of different pledges taken by the Prophet (SAW)
from his Companions (RAA) on various occasions. As a matter of fact, whenever he felt the
need to get a firm promise or commitment from his Companions (RAA), the Holy Prophet
(SAW) would use the word bai'yah. Thus, we see that Imam Nasai (RA), a great teacher and
collector of traditions, has enumerated no less than ten different types of pledges that were
taken by the Prophet (SAW) from his Companions (RAA) on different occasions. Let me quote
them: bai'yah that we shall listen and obey, that we shall always say the truth, that we give you
the prerogative to prefer anybody over us, that we won't run away from the battle field, that we
promise to engage in Jihad, the bai'yah that we shall always say what is just, that we shall always
be sincere to every Muslim, that we are ready to die for the sake of Allah (SWT), and finally the
16
bai'yah that we are ready to leave our homes whenever you order us. What all this means is that
bai'yah is the only form of commitment and the only basis of organization that is found in the
life and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). When the Companions (RAA) were digging
the trench to protect Madinah in the battle of Ahzaab, they were chanting the following couplet:
We are those who have pledged ourselves to Muhammad For Jihad; and this Jihad is to continue
as long as we are alive.
The Role of Bai'yah in Muslim History
So far, I have mentioned the fact twice that bai'yah formed the only basis of organization in
the thirteen hundred years long history of the Muslim Ummah. It is now time to substantiate
this claim with examples from our past. As all of you know, the institution of Khilafah
established after the death of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was based on bai'yah. Soon
afterwards, when it was felt that the all important institution of Khilafah is slowly degenerating
into monarchy and kingship of a particular clan, we see that Hussain Ibn Ali (RAA), followed
by Abdullah Ibn Zubair (RAA), rose to check this trend. Both these movements, though
unsuccessful, were based on bai'yah. Subsequently, we find that although monarchy established
itself with brute force, the kings — still called Caliphs — continued to rule on the basis of
bai'yah.
Even though there is essentially no separation between faith/religion and
government/state in Islam, for all practical purposes this separation did take place during the
era of kingship. Consequently, and unfortunately, the institution of bai'yah was also bisected
into two kinds. The monarchs or the kings would demand a political pledge of obedience from
the citizens, and, in addition, there were sufis and mystics who would receive a moral and
spiritual pledge of allegiance from the same citizens for the purpose of purification of their
souls (tazkiyyah al-nafs). This became the basis of bai'yah al-irshad.
What is meant by bai'yah al-irshad? A person feels the need for a spiritual guide or mentor
who would coach and instruct him so that he can become a better Muslim, and, with this
purpose in mind, he attaches himself with a pious person who has already purified his own
self. This attachment is symbolized by bai'yah, a pledge of allegiance on the part of the disciple,
who says, in effect, that you are more knowledgeable and more experienced than I am, so you
would tell me what to do and what to avoid, and you would monitor my progress and advise
and instruct me at every step of the way. This is bai'yah al-irshad, and, due to the deplorable
decline of the Ummah, this is the only type of bai'yah that an ordinary Muslim is aware of. It
may be noted that this institution is justifiable on the grounds of the bai'yah of women,
mentioned in the Qur'an, which had a similar nature and purpose.
Please note that all freedom movements, that were launched during the previous century
with the aim of liberating the Muslim lands from Colonial rule, were based on bai'yah. The
Mujahideen Movement of Sayyed Ahmad Shaheed (1786-1831) in India, the Sanussi Movement
of Muhammad Ibn Ali Al-Sannusi (1787-1859) in Libya, and the Mahdist Movement of
Muhammad Ahmad Al-Mahdi (1844-1885) in Sudan — each one of these freedom struggles
was based on the institution of bai'yah. In the present century, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
formed his party, called Hizbullah, in 1913, on the basis of bai'yah. Similarly, the founding
members in the Al-Ikhwan Al-Muslimun gave their pledge of allegiance to their al-murshid al-'am,
Hassan Al-Banna Shaheed.
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Let me narrate here a very important but largely forgotten episode of the present century.
The second convention of Jamiyat Ulama-e-Hind was held in November 1920. It was presided
over by Sheikh-ul-Hind Maulana Mehmood Hassan of Deoband who exhorted and tried hard to
convince the Ulama belonging to various sects and different schools of thought to accept
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as their leader, to give him their pledge of allegiance, and to start
the struggle for freedom and establishment of Islam in the Indian subcontinent. Unfortunately,
the Ulama did not show any enthusiasm and refused to commit themselves, mainly due to
sectarian disagreements.
Another movement of the recent past that involved bai'yah was the one launched in the
1930's in order to deal with the menace of Qadianiyat. Five hundred Ulama belonging to the
Deoband school of thought chose Maulana Ataullah Shah Bukhari as Ameer-e-Shari'at, and they
gave their pledge to him in Lahore. Although Maulana Bukhari was not a very prominent
scholar, we find that people like Maulana Ahmad Ali Lahori and Maulana Anwar Shah
Kashmiri were among those who gave their bai'yah to the Ameer-e-Shariat.
Thus, we see that, throughout the thirteen hundred year's history of the Muslim Ummah,
the only means and the only approach that was used to organize the masses is bai'yah. Whether
the issue was that of formation of a legitimate government, the launching of movements to reintroduce
the high ideals of pristine Islam, the purification of souls, or the struggle to liberate
Muslim lands from non-Muslim occupation, you will find that, invariably, people were
gathered, motivated, and assembled only on the basis of bai'yah. The only exception is that
when Maulana Sayyid Abul 'Ala Maududi decided to establish an Islamic revivalist party in
1941, he did not adopt the institution of bai'yah as the basis of his organization. I have been
talking about the "thirteen-hundred year's history" of the Ummah only on account of this very
exception, as I had to exclude the fourteenth century.
Oath of Allegiance for Joining Tanzeem-e-Islami
I have established Tanzeem-e-Islami on the basis of bai'yah. The oath of allegiance for
joining Tanzeem-e-Islami is derived from an authentic tradition which gives us the details of
the pledge that was given to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), by the visitors from Yathrib, on the
occasion of the second bai'yah of Aqabah. My assertion is that this tradition contains the whole
approach and procedure of how to establish Hizbullah, a revolutionary party with the exclusive
purpose of making Islam dominant as a politico-socio-economic order. If you are trying to
organize a party in order to perform at social level, at community level, or at welfare level, then
you can have any type of organization. But a revolutionary party, by its very nature, requires
extraordinary discipline and internal cohesion. This can only be achieved if the party is
organized on the basis of bai'yah.
Let me give you the text of this tradition. It is reported by Ubada Ibn Samit (RAA), and
both Imam Bukhari (RA) and Imam Muslim (RA) have included this hadith in their respective
collections. Please note how comprehensive, how inclusive the wording of this bai'yah is, how
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has closed off and sealed all possible doors of conflict.
Ubada Ibn Samit (RAA) reports:
We pledged ourselves to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) that we shall listen and obey, in
favorable circumstances as well as in adversity, irrespective of whether we feel inclined or we
have to force ourselves, and even if others are given preference over us. We shall never quarrel
with those who are assigned office or authority. But we shall speak out the truth wherever we
18
might be, and, in the matter concerning the cause of Allah, we shall not be deterred because of
the admonition or disapproval from anybody.
Note that in every collective effort, whenever there is an issue or problem to be dealt with,
almost invariably you will find that numerous opinions and different — often contradictory —
solutions are offered. But, of course, only a single, firm decision needs to be taken by the party
leader. Now the members of the organization who agree with the decision will be happy in
carrying it out. They will be rather pleased at the acceptance of their own viewpoint, and they
would naturally be more active in the implementation of that decision. On the other hand,
those who disagree with the decision taken at the top are likely to resent it, and they would be
reluctant and disinclined to carry out the orders. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) rooted out this
source of potential conflict by making the Companions (RAA) promise that they would obey
whatever they are commanded, irrespective of whether they feel inclined towards it or whether
they have to force themselves to do it.
Another type of conflict that can arise is in nomination or appointment of persons on
various cadres of authority. If a newcomer, even though talented and capable, is made in
charge of the affairs at any level, this may cause resentment among the senior ones. Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) again sealed this portal of discord by making the Companions (RAA)
promise that they would not argue his right to appoint their leaders, and that they would
continue to listen and obey even if others are preferred over them.
The exceptional degree of discipline inherent in the pledge of "listening and obeying" does
not, however, preclude a member of the Islamic revolutionary party from speaking out what he
believes to be the truth, or from criticizing the policies of those in authority, or from pointing
out that they are deviating from the straight path. Thus, the wording of the second pledge of
Aqabah includes the provision for the freedom of opinion and expression in the words "we
shall speak out the truth wherever we might be." Of course, the nature of an organization based
on the institution of bai'yah necessitates that the final authority rests with the ameer. In other
words, after all is said and every point discussed and deliberated, the final decision will depend
not on the counting of votes but, instead, on the prerogative of the ameer.
The oath of allegiance which has been adopted as the basis of joining Tanzeem-e-Islami has
three parts. In the first part you consciously testify that there is no god but Allah (SWT), and
that Muhammad (SAW) is His bondsman and Messenger, and then you beg Almighty Allah's
(SWT) forgiveness for all your past sins and make a fresh and firm pledge to obey Him in the
future. In the second part of the oath, you make a firm promise with Almighty Allah (SWT) that
you will refrain from all that He dislikes, and that you will strive in His path to your utmost,
spending your possessions as well as your abilities and energies in establishing His Deen. Then,
in the third part, you give your pledge of allegiance to the ameer of Tanzeem-e-Islami, that you
will listen and obey all his orders and commands as long as they are compatible with the
Shari'ah. This last provision — that only those orders are to be obeyed which are within the
limits of the Shari'ah — is the only addition that we have made in the wording of the second
pledge of Aqabah. The rest of the wording is the same as mentioned in the tradition of Ubada
Ibn Samit (RAA).
The Importance of Bai'yah
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said that whosoever dies in a state that there is no bond of
bai'yah around his neck, he dies a death of jahiliyyah, i.e., truly speaking, he does not die as a
19
true Muslim. This hadith is very categorical, but most of us are under the erroneous impression
that if we are attached with a pious person with regard to bai'yah al-irshad, then we are fulfilling
the requirement of this hadith. Not at all! What is meant by the term bai'yah in the hadith quoted
above refers to the collective system of the Ummah, and this type of bai'yah can exist only in two
forms: either there is an Islamic state or the system of Khilafah in existence, in which case we
have to pledge allegiance to the khalifah; if not, then we have to strive in an organized manner to
establish such a state. For this, there must be a Hizbullah, or the Party of Almighty Allah (SWT),
and we must give our pledge of allegiance or bai'yah to the ameer of that party.
The system of Khilafah won't come about easily. It won't drop out of the heavens. It won't
be offered to us on a silver platter. We would have to strive and struggle for it. We will have to
exert ourselves to the utmost. We will have to sacrifice our time and recourses and energies and
capabilities to make this dream a reality. There are no shortcuts.
We must also realize that nothing worthwhile and nothing substantial can ever be
accomplished in this world without a collective effort. If there is no Islamic state in existence,
then we have to try and establish it, and this cannot be done without a cohesive and disciplined
party. Hence the need to revive the institution of bai'yah.
There is only one possibility where we are exempted from having the bond of bai'yah
around our necks. This is the situation of extreme turmoil and chaos, when every one is
bewildered, confused, and perplexed. No one knows what to do, where to go, whom to follow.
But if you think that you are living in this condition of extreme turmoil and chaos, and
therefore you are excused from having the bond of bai'yah around your neck, think again. You
are not allowed to live in a civilized society if there is extreme fitnah. You are not allowed to
avail and enjoy the facilities and amenities of modern civic life if there is extreme fitnah. Instead,
you are required to give up everything and go to the wilderness. Thus, if a person is living a
normal life with his family, and enjoying every facility and comfort that technology and civic
life has brought to his door step, and he still claims that there is extreme fitnah, then this
attitude is nothing short of self-deception. If there is really unbearable chaos, then remember
that you are not allowed to live a comfortable life in that condition.
May Allah give us the courage to accept the truth wherever we may find it, and enable us
to live as Muslims and to die as Muslims. May Allah (SWT) inspire us to do whatever pleases
Him. Aameen!
20
Oath of Allegiance for Joining Tanzeem-e-Islami
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Ever Merciful
I testify that there is no god except Allah; He is one and alone; He has no shareek (associate, equal,
or partner), and that Muhammad is His abd (bondsman or slave) and His rasool (messenger).
(May Allah bestow His grace and peace upon him!)
I beg Allah to forgive all my (past) sins, and I return towards His obedience with a sincere
repentance .
I make a Solemn Covenant with Allah (SWT) that
I will refrain from all that He dislikes,
I will strive in His path to my utmost,
I will spend my belongings as well as my bodily resources, for the establishment of his Deen
and for making His word supreme
____ And for this Purpose____
I give my pledge to Dr. Israr Ahmad,
Ameer of Tanzeem-e-Islami
that I will listen to his orders and obey them as long as they are not against the Shari'ah,
in favorable circumstances as well as in adversity,
irrespective of whether I feel inclined or I have to force myself, even if others are given
preference over me.
I also solemnly pledge that I will never quarrel with those who are assigned office or authority,
I will say the truth wherever I might be,
I will not be deterred because of the reproach or disapproval of anybody in the matters
concerning the cause of Allah (SWT).
I ask for the succor of Allah (SWT), and I pray for courage and perseverance to stay on the straight path and to
honor and fulfill this pledge.
The Basis for Organization of
a Revivalist Party in Islam
Dr. Israr Ahmad
Shoba Samo Basr
Markazi Anjuman Khuddam-ul-Qur'an
2
Introduction
The present booklet is a revised and edited version of a lecture on the subject of
Baiy'ah, delivered in English by Dr. Israr Ahmad, Ameer of Tanzeem-e-Islami. The
lecture was originally delivered in August 1995, in Elgin, Illinois (USA). It was first
published in the October-December 1996 issue of The Qur'anic Horizons, and now it is
being presented in the form of a booklet.
Dr. Israr Ahmad (b. 1932) is well-known as a scholar and teacher of the Holy
Qur'an. He firmly believes that the pathetic and wretched condition of the Muslim
Ummah today is a punishment from Almighty Allah (SWT), the cause being the
dereliction of individual and collective duties on the part of the Muslims. The only
way to salvation, therefore, is for the Muslims to repent with the true spirit of
repentance, and to strive for the fulfillment of all their Divinely ordained obligations.
The Muslims not only need to practice Islam in their individual lives, but it is also
their duty to spread and propagate the teachings of Islam throughout the world, and
to struggle for the establishment of Islam as a socio-political order so that justice and
peace can reign supreme.
Today in the Muslim world, we find that most of the Islamic movements
have taken either to the bullet or to the ballet. Dr. Israr Ahmad, on the other hand,
refers to the following saying of Imam Malik (RA): "The latter part of this
community will not be reformed except by following the same process through
which its initial part was reformed." He argues that the lack of success on the part of
various Islamic movements is actually due to their deviation, in one way or another,
from the way of the Prophet (SAW). Dr. Israr Ahmad has no doubt in his mind that
the revival and establishment of Islam will be possible only by adopting the
methodology of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). As derived from the study of the
Seerah, the methodology of the Prophet (SAW) involved the following stages: Calling
people towards the light of Iman, Organizing those who respond into a cohesive
force, Training them with respect to spiritual and moral purification and discipline,
Passive Resistance in the face of persecution and oppression, Challenge and Active
Resistance at the appropriate moment, and finally Armed Conflict. Dr. Israr Ahmad
has spelled out the details of these phases and their application in modern times in
his numerous lectures and writings. He has emphasized that the revitalization of
true faith by means of the Qur'an is an essential prerequisite for Islamic renaissance.
Concerning the final step, he believes that the evolution of social thought since the
time of the Prophet (SAW) implies that, in our times, a non-violent mass movement
can supplant a bilateral armed conflict, the latter not being feasible in the
contemporary world. He argues that it is now possible to bring about positive and
fundamental changes in Muslim societies by means of popular movements —
consisting of peaceful agitation and leading to civil disobedience, if required — while
strictly refraining from all sorts of violence. The struggle to revive and re-establish
Islam, however, requires a disciplined organization.
According to Dr. Israr Ahmad, the Western constitutional and democratic
model works satisfactorily as the basis of organizational structure for community
work, institution building, and da'wah work. However, he argues that this model is
not suitable for the purpose of establishing a truly revivalist party. Further, Dr. Israr
Ahmad also points out that the organizational model we find in the Seerah of the
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is based on baiy'ah (pledge of allegiance). The Prophet
(SAW) was a Messenger of Almighty Allah (SWT) and every command from him
3
had to be followed; the reason he took baiy'ah from the Companions (RAA),
therefore, was only to leave a model for his Ummah. The Caliphs after him continued
the same system, and after them almost all of the revivalist movements have adopted
the same system of baiy'ah for the purpose of organization. In the Western
constitutional and democratic model, a number of people who want to achieve the
same goals get together and form an organization in which the majority vote is
decisive. In the system based on baiy'ah, on the other hand, one person gives a call
that he is going to initiate the struggle for the revival and establishment of the Deen
of Allah (SWT); he then invites people to join him in this cause (Cf., Surah Al-Saff
61:14). In such a system, the leader (or ameer) is required to consult with his
associates (or rufaqa) but is not bound by the majority decision (Cf., Surah Aal-e-
Imran 3:159). The only difference is that while each and every command given by the
Prophet (SAW) had to be followed, the leader of a revivalist party can be obeyed not
in an absolute sense but only within the bounds of the Shari'ah (i.e., fil Mar'uf).
Dr. Israr Ahmad has made it clear elsewhere that no revivalist party can
claim for itself the status of Al-Jama'ah, a term applicable only to the collective
organization of the entire Muslim Ummah under a single leader or ameer. Although
ideal from the Islamic perspective, this unified state of the Muslim Ummah does not
exist in the real world. Dr. Israr Ahmad believes that the internal discipline of a
revivalist party that is working to re-establish Islam should be based on the Islamic
ideal of "listening and obeying" to the ameer, a discipline that can only be achieved
by following the Prophetic model of baiy'ah. He is firmly of the opinion that an
amorphous (and anonymous!) body of Islamic workers, scattered all over the world
and without a well-defined leadership, hardly merits the expression "the Islamic
movement." It is at best a hypothetical entity. Going beyond "creating a New
Civilization of Islam," Dr. Israr Ahmad is aiming at a concentrated, centralized, and
concerted effort to establish Islamic socio-politico order in toto, initially in Pakistan
and then in other states. For this he is following the prophetic model of organization
in the form of bai'yah and well-disciplined party structure.
Dr. Ahmed Afzaal
4
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam! The topic of my lecture this evening is The Importance,
The Nature, and The Basis for Organization of a Revivalist Party in Islam, with Special Reference to the
Institution of Bai'yah.
All of you are well aware that I am, basically and essentially, a student of the Holy Qur'an,
and, in addition, since I also try to share with others whatever understanding I gain from the
Holy Book, you can also call me a teacher or a tutor of the Qur'an.
The Relevance of Sunnah
However, I am going to base today's lecture primarily on some traditions of Prophet
Muhammad (SAW), and only secondarily on Qur'anic verses. Why so? Let me explain this by
giving you an example.
Every Muslim is cognizant of the importance that the Holy Qur'an attaches to the
"establishment of Salat." Although we find that all the essential constituents of Salat —
including qayam, ruku', sajdah, wudu, and tayummum — are mentioned in the Qur'an, a
systematic scheme of performing the Salat cannot be derived from these scattered references.
We have no other option but to go to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for guidance,
because it is only there that we would find the various parts of Salat joined and arranged in a
manner that can be described as a systematic pattern.
Similarly, the subject of Organized Revivalist Struggle in Islam cannot be dealt with
satisfactorily without resorting to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Even though we
find the different elements and constituents of this subject scattered in different places
throughout the Holy Qur'an, we still need the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) if we are to have a
complete and full view of the concept of Organization in Islam.
The Forgotten Truth
The first tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that I want you to focus your attention on
is the one reported by his Companion Harith Al-Ash'ari (RAA). This hadith has been included in
Mishkat Al-Masabih (Kitaab al-Imarah), Musnad of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (RA), and the Jame'
of Imam Tirmidhi (RA). The wording of this hadith is extremely important. Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) is reported to have said:
I declare obligatory upon you five things; Allah (SWT) has commanded me to do so. They are:
organization, listening, obeying, making Hijrah, and making Jihad for the cause of Allah.
I assume that most of the brothers and sisters in this audience may be hearing this hadith
for the first time. Please compare this hadith with the one which deals with the five pillars of
Islam. According to this, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said:
Islam is based upon five things: the Shahadah that there is no god except Allah and that
Muhammad (SAW) is His messenger, to offer the Prayers, to pay Zakat, to perform Hajj, and to
5
fast during the month of Ramadan.
As you know, the familiar concept of the five pillars of Islam is actually based upon this
tradition. And this is a very well-known hadith, very often repeated, very often narrated.
Although if you consider its wording carefully, you would realize that no explicit order is being
given here. That Islam is based on five things is not a command; rather, it is a simple statement
of fact. On the other hand, in the hadith that I have quoted, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has
very emphatically ordered us to adhere to these five things — organization, listening, obeying,
Hijrah, and Jihad. Yet this hadith is not as popular as the one about the five pillars. In fact, a vast
majority of Muslims is virtually oblivious of such a tradition. Let me narrate an incident here.
This happened about twenty years back. I came across this hadith through Maulana Abul
Kalam Azad who first quoted it in 1912 in his magazine Al-Hilal, and also through Maulana
Sayyid Abul 'Ala Maududi who quoted it in one of his lectures delivered in 1946 in Muradpur
in the Sialkot District (later published as a booklet entitled Shahadat-e-Haq). However, neither of
them gave the source of this tradition. That is, they did not mention as to where from did they
get this hadith? I was curious about the source, and so I approached a prominent scholar of
Islamic sciences, who was in fact a Sheikh-ul-Hadith (an expert and a teacher of hadith) at an
important Islamic institution in Lahore. I asked him about the source (maakhaz and sanad) of this
tradition. And he said: "The wording of this hadith is rather unfamiliar. I don't recall it."
Now the amazing thing is that this tradition, as I mentioned earlier, is included in Mishkat,
which is the primer of Ilm Al-Hadith, the very first book that is taught in this discipline. Still, an
'alim who is considered an authority in hadith could not recall reading or hearing these words.
Is it not a very serious matter indeed? There has to be a reason why a significant hadith would
just vanish from the consciousness of both, the scholars and the general public.
How We Lost Our Way
As you know, Islam is much more than a religion; it is, in fact, the all-encompassing Deen,
based upon absolute and unconditional obedience to Almighty Allah (SWT). It includes
"religious" features — that is, a set of metaphysical beliefs, modes of worship, social customs
and rituals, as well as what is commonly regarded as the "secular" elements — those dealing
with social, economic, and political spheres of human life. During the long period of decline of
the Muslim Ummah, starting from the end of the Rightly Guided Caliphate down to the present
century, what has happened is that slowly and insidiously our concept of Islam has undergone
a total transformation — decay, to be more exact. As a result of this transformation, Deen has
been turned into a madhab, a mere religion. The focus is now restricted to the dogmatic and
ritualistic framework of Islam, while the issue of establishing and maintaining the Deen as a
politico-socio-economic order has slowly lost its significance and has gone completely into
oblivion.
During the era of Western Colonialism, we came across the "religion" of Christianity. As
you know, this is a very peculiar religion, in that it has no law, no Shari'ah. Christianity consists
of a dogma, some ethical and moral teachings, a bit of mysticism, and that is all. Christianity
does not prescribe any politico-socio-economic system. It does not possess even any legal
frame-work. So, under the impact of Western imperialism, we started to use the English word
"religion" — more suited to Christianity — with reference to Islam, and began to view this
God-given Deen as nothing more than a private affair. The dominant system of Muslim lands as
6
well as the law that was enforced upon us was no longer Islam; rather, it was an entirely secular
polity that was dictated by our European masters. When the collective aspects of Islam went
out of our sight, they inevitably went out of our mind as well. The result is that many of the
Muslims find it incredible when they are told that Islam has a complete and viable politicosocio-
economic system of its own.
Thus, we find that, during the centuries of decline, the concept of Islam as a Deen vanished
from our minds. Even during the Colonial rule, we were allowed to have our own beliefs; we
were free to perform Salat, to pay Zakat, to fast during the month of Ramadan, and to perform
Hajj; we were also free to celebrate the birth of our children with aqeeqa, to solemnize our
marriages with nikah, and to bury our dead in the traditional manner prescribed by the Sunnah.
That is why these aspects of Islam continue to remain under our focus. But since during the
Colonial rule our social system, our economic system, and our political system were no longer
in practice, these aspects of Islam gradually faded away from our collective mind.
The Meaning of Hijrah
Now, let us examine more closely the words of the hadith under discussion. We are going
to analyze the five things ordained by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in reverse order, and you
will know the reason for this in a short while. First of all, let us consider the last two items —
Hijrah and Jihad. These are actually two aspects of the same entity. As you know, we often come
across the negative aspect before the positive one. For instance, we say "There is no god except
Allah." First there is a negation of all gods, followed by the affirmation of Almighty Allah
(SWT) as the only being worthy of worship and absolute or unqualified obedience. Similarly,
we find that Hijrah is a negative way of expressing the same obligation that is positively
represented by the term Jihad. In Hijrah, you leave something; in Jihad, you strive towards
something. So Hijrah and Jihad are, so to say, two sides of the same coin.
There are numerous levels and stages as far as both Hijrah and Jihad are concerned, but I
will present before you only the first or the initial level and then the final or the ultimate level. I
hope that you would get a fairly clear idea of the different levels of these two obligations by
becoming aware of their first and last stages.
What is the first stage of Hijrah? What is its beginning? Where does the process of Hijrah
start? Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked this question: What kind of Hijrah is supreme?
Which Hijrah is most valuable in the sight of Almighty Allah (SWT)? Please note the answer
that was given by the Prophet. He said, the supreme Hijrah is that you give up whatever your
Lord doesn't like, that you abandon all those things and all those practices that are abhorrent
and hateful in the sight of Almighty Allah (SWT). This is the supreme kind of Hijrah.
If one is to decide today that he will live for the sake of Allah (SWT) and die for His sake
too, the first thing he will have to do is to make this kind of Hijrah. If there is any element of riba
or interest in his profession or his trading then he would have to purge them of it. If his social
life is full of practices that amount to transgressions of the Shari'ah, then he must give up those
habits and customs, irrespective of how much chic and trendy they may be in the sight of his
friends and his colleagues.
So, giving up whatever is not liked by Almighty Allah (SWT) is the first stage, the first
rung of the ladder of Hijrah. But what about its climax? What is the final and ultimate stage of
Hijrah? We know that the struggle to establish the Deen of Allah is obligatory upon all of us. If,
7
during the course of that struggle, a time comes when all those who are engaged in this
endeavor are required to migrate, and to assemble at a specified place in order to accumulate
and concentrate all the available resources before launching the final offensive, then this is the
time for the final stage of Hijrah. One will have to leave his home, and properties, and friends,
and relatives, and even the much beloved and cherished homeland — not to raise the standard
of living, not to enjoy life in a comfortable and secure environment — but for the sake of
Allah's pleasure alone.
Think about the Hijrah that was made by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his Companions
(RAA) when they migrated from Makkah to Madinah. They left their homes, and families, and
their valuables. They left the city of their forefathers. They left the land where they had spent
their entire lives. They left the place where their fathers and their father's fathers were buried.
They even left the most precious and revered place in the whole world, the Kaa'bah. And they
migrated to a new and unfamiliar place. They migrated to Madinah.
And what was the purpose behind this migration? Was it to raise their standard of living?
Was it to prosper and flourish? Was it to increase their business prospects? You know what the
reason was. They migrated for the sake of Allah (SWT), to make the Deen of Allah supreme, and
for no other reason at all.
The Significance of Jihad
Now the other side of the coin. Jihad! What is the first stage of Jihad and what is its final
stage? Again, we find that a question was put to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), about the
supreme kind of Jihad. What sort of Jihad is most valuable in the sight of Almighty Allah (SWT)?
And the Prophet replied: the supreme kind of Jihad is that you struggle against your own baser
self, your own al-nafs al-ammarah, and make it obedient to Allah (SWT). In another hadith, the
Allah's Messenger (SAW) has said that the real mujahid is one who strives against the baser
desires of his own self. As you know, in addition to the fitrah or the spiritual soul, we also have
an animal being within ourselves. What I mean is that all of us have the lower instincts and
carnal desires of our animal self. And these instincts and desires are blind, as they want nothing
but their own immediate gratification. It makes absolutely no difference to these urges whether
this satisfaction comes from halal or from haram, i.e., from the permissible or from the unlawful.
So what are we required to do? We need to control these blind instincts and subjugate them to
the commands of Almighty Allah (SWT). And this, in fact, is the first level, the first rung of the
ladder of Jihad.
What about the ultimate and final stage of Jihad? Again, all of us are obliged to struggle our
utmost in establishing the Deen of Allah (SWT). If, during this struggle, a time comes when all
those who are engaged in this endeavor are required to come out and confront the forces of kufr
and shirk, and to fight and clash with these forces and to risk their lives in doing so, then this
will be the final and ultimate stage of Jihad. Thus, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to
have said that if a Muslim dies and he had neither participated in any war for the cause of
Allah (SWT), nor had he a desire to take part in such a war, then he dies in the state of a certain
kind of nifaq, i.e., hypocrisy, and not true Iman. If you have genuine faith in Allah (SWT), and
you know that it is your inescapable duty to make His Deen supreme and to establish His
Sovereignty, then you have to have a burning desire, a strong yearning to be able to participate
in the war for the sake of Allah (SWT). It may be that the time for such armed clash doesn't
8
come in your life. As you know, many of the Companions (RAA) died before the Islamic
movement entered the phases of active resistance and armed conflict. They never got the
chance to participate in any of the battles. But, of course, the desire and the urge to fight in the
way of Allah (SWT) was there in their hearts. If there is no such desire then it means there is no
real Iman in the heart.
Organized Party Formation as an Inescapable Prerequisite
Now consider this question: If you were to undertake the twin obligations of Hijrah and
Jihad, do you honestly feel that this can be done without a united and disciplined party? Can
you fulfill these obligations alone? As an individual? Sure, you can strive against the sinful
impulses of your own nafs in isolation, but can you establish the Deen of Allah (SWT) in your
individual capacity? Is any single person that powerful and resourceful as to be able to
establish the Islamic System of Social Justice by working alone? The answer is definitely in the
negative. A party, an organized group is essential, unavoidable, inescapable. It is the cardinal
requirement for bringing about any change in the society. You have to organize as a party.
The hadith which we are discussing is very meaningful, in that the very first thing it enjoins
upon the Muslims is that they should to be in the form of a party. The party, the discipline, the
organization is to be seen, therefore, as a prerequisite for undertaking the last two obligations,
Hijrah and Jihad. At this point I would like to quote a few more ahadith about the importance of
collectivity, of jama'ah.
According to Imam Tirmidhi (RA), Umar Ibn Khattab (RAA) reported that Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) said:
It is obligatory upon you to be in the form of a party, and you are forbidden from being alone.
Satan becomes the companion of the person who is alone; but if there are two Muslims, he runs
away.
Note how the Prophet (SAW) has warned that if you are alone, not attached to a party or
group, Satan will find you an easy prey and he will be able to easily mislead you away from the
straight path.
According to another hadith, reported by Abdullah Ibn Umar (RAA), Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) said:
The Hand of Allah is upon the jama'ah. Whoever cuts himself off from the group is thrown into
Hell-fire.
It means that the help, the succor, the assistance, and the support of Almighty Allah (SWT)
is for the collectivity of Muslims, not individuals. And if a Muslim separates and detaches
himself then, according to the hadith quoted above, he becomes an easy prey for Satan who will
mislead him from the straight path. And what will be the result in the Hereafter? He will be
thrown in the fire of Hell.
Third hadith is actually a saying of Umar Ibn Khattab (RAA), and so, technically speaking,
it is an athar (which is a saying, practice or tacit approval of a Companion of the Prophet) and
not a khabar (which is defined as a saying, practice or tacit approval of the Prophet himself).
Umar Ibn Khattab (RAA), the second caliph of Islam, says that,
9
There is no Islam without jama'ah, there is no jama'ah without an ameer, there is no use having
an ameer if he is not obeyed.
Importance of Collectivity
Before proceeding further, let me give you a glimpse of the general nature of our Deen. I
have mentioned in the beginning the great importance that our Deen attaches to the institution
of Salat. Please note that for men, it is necessary to perform the obligatory Salat in congregation,
unless there is a genuine excuse. The offering of the congregational prayers exhibits in a
symbolic form the general discipline that is required by Islam in all matters.
What happens during congregational Salat? There is one leader or Imam who is in charge,
and all others follow him in a disciplined manner. No one can perform any movement ahead of
the Imam. We must respond to his cautions. If someone raises his head from the ruku' ahead of
the Imam, he'll lose his Salat. Even if the Imam commits a mistake, all you are allowed to do is to
point this out by saying Allaho Akbar or Subhan Allah. But if the Imam persists in his mistake,
then it doesn't mean that you can simply walk away from the congregation. Even if you are one
hundred percent sure that the Imam has committed an error, you are still not allowed to leave
the jama'ah, the congregation. Of course, you can discuss the matter after the Salat is over, and
the Imam must repeat the Salat if he has indeed committed a mistake, but the important point is
that you are obliged to remain with the congregation even if you don't fully agree with the
leader.
Now consider the basic institution of the Islamic social system. What is that fundamental
bond nikah and what is its essence and significance? A woman agrees to obey her husband —
within the limits set by the Shari'ah, of course, as you are not allowed to obey anyone if that
obedience necessitates any transgression of the Divine law — and offers herself in marriage to
him, who accepts the offer. There is no practical way of establishing a strong and healthy family
system except through regimentation and discipline. That is why Islam has made it obligatory
upon the wife to obey her husband. Of course she can advise, recommend, suggest, argue, and
plead; but if she does not obey her husband then she is acting contrary to the teachings of Islam.
Let me give you a third example. If two people are traveling together, then, according to
the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), one of them should be the ameer and he should
lead and guide the other. If two people are going to offer their obligatory prayers, then one
should act as the Imam and the other would be the muqtadi or follower. All this clearly
demonstrates the importance of collectivity in Islam, and also sheds light on the nature of
organized and collective life in our Deen, which is our next topic.
The Islamic Concept of Party Organization
In order to facilitate our understanding of the nature of revivalist party's organization in
Islam, we should have before us an outline of how this issue is being dealt with in the
contemporary world. The modern world has all sorts of associations, institutions, institutes,
corporations, leagues, social and business organizations, political parties, and special interest
groups. All these are different forms of organization. In each one of them there are two items of
primary significance: the memorandum, which describes the purpose, aims, and objectives of the
proposed organization, and the constitution.
10
In view of the universal methods that are employed in this respect, we find that there are a
number of features common to all such constitutions. For instance, there are provisions for
membership, so that a person who accepts the memorandum and the constitution or the articles
of association, and agrees to fulfill the conditions of membership, is admitted as a member. In
this way, the organization grows from below. The members would then elect their president or
chairman or director, whatever you may call him. Then elections are to be held for a managing
committee or an advisory board or some other forum of shura. Finally, the issue of division of
authority and responsibilities has to be settled and a system of checks and balances has to be
evolved in order to monitor those with authority.
Thus, we see that all these provisions are found, in one form or another, whenever an
attempt is made to establish some sort of an organization. All these different forms of
organization are permissible and perfectly mubah in Islam. There is nothing in either the Holy
Qur'an or the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that can repudiate the legitimacy of all
these different types of organization.
What, then, is my point? While the various forms of organizations for group activity
prevalent in the world today are permissible in Islam, I would like to make it very clear that no
reference about any of these can be found anywhere in the Holy Qur'an or in the life and the
Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In spite of this, I still believe that none of these are
haram or prohibited in Islam. This opinion is based upon one of the fundamental principles of
Islamic jurisprudence: everything and every practice is to be considered lawful and permissible
unless proved otherwise.
On the other hand, the type of organization that we come across repeatedly in the Holy
Qur'an, in the life and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) — as well as in the whole of
the thirteen hundred year's history of the Muslim Ummah — is based upon a pattern which is
unlike that usually found in today's world. I will discuss this pattern in a short while.
Basic Terminology
Before proceeding further, let me explain two key phrases or terms in relation to the
Islamic concept of party formation. The first term is that of ameer. What does it mean? There is a
related word in Arabic, aamir, which is used in Urdu in place of the English expression
"dictator." Now, as you know, the word "dictator" is used in a pejorative or derogatory sense.
It is certainly not considered to be a polite or respectful thing to say about a leader that he acts
in a "dictatorial" manner or that he is a "dictator." This is because we live in an era of
democracy and people's rule, and therefore anything considered contrary to the high ideals of
democracy is to be shunned at all cost. But please note that the word ameer is more intense and
stronger than simple aamir.
Anyone who is familiar with the technical nuances of Arabic language will appreciate this
point: when a person is performing a certain act, he is faa'il, e.g., qadir, 'alim, aamir, etc., but
when the capacity and the characteristic of performing that act becomes an integral and
permanent part of his personality, then he will be called fa'eel, e.g., qadeer, 'aleem, and, similarly,
ameer. So, please note again that the term used in the ahadith to describe a leader is ameer, which
is much stronger and more profound than aamir.
Let me quote a hadith here. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said that whoever obeys me,
he actually obeys Almighty Allah (SWT), and whoever disobeys me, he is guilty of disobeying
11
Almighty Allah (SWT); moreover, a person who obeys the ameer appointed by me actually
obeys me, and he who disobeys the ameer appointed by me, disobeys me.
Of course, when the Prophet (SAW) was alive, he himself was the ameer of Muslims,
commander in-chief of the army, and head of the state. But even at that time there was a chain
of leaders who were appointed by him, and these leaders were in charge at different levels of
authority. For instance, in a ghazwa or battle, the chief commander was, of course, Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) himself, but there were numerous subordinates under him: there would be
a commander of the right wing, a commander of the left wing, and so on. Then each wing was
composed of various smaller units, and these smaller units would have their own commanders.
Thus, there was a chain of local leaders or commanders or umara, and that chain had to be kept
intact and unbroken at all times. Any breach in this sequence of authority would have,
inevitably, resulted in chaos and disorder. And this is exactly what happened during the battle
of Uhad.
In the battle of Uhad, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had appointed a group of fifty archers —
under Abdullah Ibn Jubayr (RAA)— on a hilly pass a little to the left of his main force, and had
told them not to leave that place even if they see that the rest of the Muslims have been killed.
But when, during the course of the battle, the archers saw that the enemy was defeated, they
did exactly what they were prohibited from doing: they left their post. The local commander,
Abdullah Ibn Jubayr (RAA), warned them not to leave their place, ordering them to stay. But it
seems that the archers argued, saying that the order of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was
binding in case of defeat, and now we have won. The battle is finished and the disbelievers are
routed, so there is no point in staying here.
Thirty-five archers disobeyed their local commander. The enemy horsemen saw their
opportunity to attack from the rear, and played havoc in the unprotected and exposed ranks of
the Muslim army. Seventy Muslims were martyred due to this mistake. Almighty Allah (SWT)
punished the entire Muslim force for this show of indiscipline and disobedience of the local
ameer.
Think about the extreme importance that our Deen attaches to discipline. Abdullah Ibn
Jubayr (RAA) was directly appointed by Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and after the death of the
Prophet, the Muslims elected their own khalifah or ameer with mutual consultation. But there is a
hadith, reported by Irbad Ibn Saaria (RAA), according to which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has
said that it is obligatory upon you to listen and obey even if a slave establishes himself as your
ameer (i.e., without your consent), provided he doesn't give any order that is contrary to the
Shari'ah.¨ This is the value of discipline and collectivity, that even if someone gets hold of the
power without the approval of the Ummah, we are still required to obey him within the limits of
the Shari'ah, in order to avoid unnecessary chaos and disarray. Disobedience is permissible only
when there is clear and flagrant violation of the Shari'ah, and armed rebellion is advisable only
¨ This tradition as quoted by Imam Nawawi (RA) in his Arba'ain includes the following words: "I counsel you to
fear Allah (may He be glorified) and to listen and obey even if a slave establishes himself as your leader." Imam
Nawawi (RA) has quoted this tradition on the authority of Imam Tirmidhi (RA) and Imam Abu Daud (RA). But the
wording of this tradition, as it appears in the collection of ahadith by Imam Tirmidhi (RA) and Imam Abu Daud
(RA), as well as those by Imam Ibn Majah (RA) and Imam Ahmad (RA), does not include the words "establishes
himself as your leader." In his Sharah of Sahih Muslim, however, Imam Nawawi (RA) writes under another hadith:
"If a slave establishes himself as an ameer (through force) and runs the affairs of the government in accordance with
the Qur'an and Sunnah, then it is obligatory (for the Muslims) to obey him. However, under normal circumstances
when the leaders are being elected by the free choice of the Muslims, it would not be right to elect a slave."
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if there is enough strength available to bring about a permanent and stable change.
But there is another type of self-proclaimed ameer, an ameer like myself. What kind of ameer
am I? I want to launch a revolutionary struggle in Pakistan in order to establish the Islamic
System of Social Justice, or, in other words, to establish the system of Khilafah. But I cannot
achieve this on my own. I need associates and colleagues and comrades. So what did I do? I
made my ideas known to the general public, and I made this call: Who would help me in this
noble endeavor? Who would join hands with me? Who would support me in establishing the
sovereignty of Almighty Allah (SWT) in the world?
Nobody has elected me an ameer. I started my mission, I gave my program, I charted a
methodology. Whoever agrees with all this can come and join hands with me and become my
associate. This type of organization grows from top down. Since people responded to my call, I
became their ameer. No election is needed here.
So, now you can appreciate that there are four different types of umara:
• First, an ameer who is appointed as a leader of a local community or unit by some
higher authority, i.e., by a higher ameer. The umara nominated by Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
were of this variety.
• Second, an ameer who is elected or selected by the Muslims as their ruler through
mutual consultation. The four Rightly Guided Caliphs belonged to this variety.
• Third, an ameer who becomes ruler of the Muslims by taking control of the power
with force and without their consent. Most of the kings and emperors of the Muslim history, as
well as the military rulers of today, belong to this variety.
• And, finally, the person who wants to undertake some mission for the cause of Islam
and needs the help and assistance of other Muslims; he is initially a da'ee (one who calls or
invites people) because he starts by calling people to join hands with him, and when people do
join him, he naturally becomes their ameer.
So far, we have been trying to understand the meaning and implications of the word ameer,
as used by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The second term that is noteworthy in this regard, and
this too belongs to the Qur'an and the Sunnah, is sam'-o-ta'ah, that is, listening and obeying. Please
note that, just like "enjoining the good and forbidding the evil" is an expression of great
significance made immortal by the Holy Qur'an, the words "listening and obeying" have also
become a permanent part of the Qur'anic terminology and idiom. Moreover, just like "enjoining
the good" cannot be separated from its mate "forbidding the evil," we see that "listening"
cannot be severed from its twin "obeying."
All of you know that listening and obeying is actually the proverbial slogan or catch phrase
of the military. All that an ordinary soldier is supposed to do is to listen and obey, i.e., to receive
orders from his superiors and to carry them out. He is simply not allowed to argue with his
commander. He cannot demand the reason or the strategy behind each and every move that is
being made in the battle front. It is obvious that a soldier would be most effective if he does as
he is told by the higher authority in command.
This great discipline of the military is vividly depicted in the poem Charge of the Light
Brigade by Tennyson, describing an event that took place in 1854 during the Crimean War.
What happened was that the brigade was given the order to charge and advance towards the
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enemy lines. But there were cannons everywhere, right, left, and front. It was obvious to every
man that someone has made a blunder in issuing such a suicidal order. But nobody argued, no
one demanded an explanation, no one questioned the rationality of the order. They all charged
forward, just as they were told, and perished:
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Let me quote three verses of the Holy Qur'an, and I hope that they would sufficiently
illustrate the importance of listening and obeying in the context of the Islamic way of life.
The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him by his Lord, and so do the faithful.
Each one believes in Allah and His angels, and His Books, and His messengers, and (say that)
we make no distinction between the messengers. And (in addition) they say: "We listen and we
obey, and we seek Your forgiveness, O Lord, for to You we shall return in the end." (Al-
Baqarah 2:258)
Remember the favors He bestowed on you, and the covenant He cemented you with, when you
said: "We (agree to) listen and obey." Heed Allah for he knows the secrets of your hearts. (Al-
Ma'ida 5:7)
So heed Allah as much as you can, and listen and obey.... (Al-Taghabun 64:16)
The Basis of Organization in Islam
I have already pointed out that the type of organization that we repeatedly come across in
the Holy Qur'an, and in the life and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) — as well as in
the entire thirteen hundred year's history of the Muslim Ummah — is based on a pattern that is
distinct from that usually found in today's world. And this pattern is one of bai'yah, or "pledge
of allegiance." Now, the question is: what is meant by bai'yah?
The word bai'yah is from the Arabic verb" " meaning to sell. And what is the basic
nature of selling? Exchange! You exchange your dollars for a loaf or a cake. You exchange your
rupees for a bag of onions. Before the invention of coins and currency, people would exchange
one merchandise for another, and this, as you know, is called barter system. It makes no
difference whether you call the dollars the price and the loaf the merchandise, or you call the
dollars the merchandise and the loaf the price. This is because whenever there is selling, buying
is taking place as well. Both can be called prices as well as the commodities.
I have given you this background so that you can appreciate and feel for yourself the
beauty, the elegance, and the splendor of the following Qur'anic verse:
Allah has verily bought the lives and possessions of the faithful in exchange for Paradise. They
fight in the cause of Allah, and kill and are killed. This is a promise incumbent on Him, as in
the Torah, so the Gospel and the Qur'an. And who is more true to his promise than Allah? So
rejoice at the bargain you have made with Him; for this will be supreme triumph. (At-Tawbah
9:111)
This is one of the most important verses of the Holy Qur'an, but, unfortunately, it no
longer occupies the pivotal position in our lives as it did in the lives of the Companions (RAA).
This verse talks about a bargain or a transaction between the mo'min (the faithful, the believer)
on the one hand and Almighty Allah (SWT) on the other. In this transaction, Almighty Allah
(SWT) is the purchaser and the believer is the seller. When a person has Iman (true faith), it
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means that he has already committed himself to devote and dedicate his life, his capabilities, his
energies, his resources, his possessions, and his wealth for the sake of Almighty Allah (SWT)
and, in return, he is given the promise of the rewards of the Paradise in the life to come. This is
the bai'yah between the faithful and Almighty Allah (SWT). On the basis of this bai'yah, what are
the believers doing? They are fighting in the way of Allah (SWT), they are fighting to make the
Deen of Allah supreme, they are fighting to establish the Islamic Order in its totality. And,
during the course of this conflict, they are killing their opponents, the enemies of Allah (SWT),
and they are being killed by them as well.
The transaction between the believer and Allah (SWT) mentioned above is not a cash
bargain; rather, it's a credit bargain. I am required to invest all that I have, including my life
and property, for the cause of Almighty Allah (SWT). And what do I get in return? A promise.
A word of assurance from Allah that He will reward me in the Hereafter. Anyone can see that
there is a lot of risk involved in this venture. What if I don't get anything in return? What if I
am not compensated for my sacrifices? I am willing to surrender and renounce everything I
have in this world, but what if I don't receive any recompense? Surely I don't want to be a
double loser. So why should I make sacrifices? Isn't one in hand better than two in the bush?
It is quite natural to have doubts regarding the mere promise of a future payment. This is
exactly why Almighty Allah (SWT) has reassured us in a most emphatic manner that the
promise is on Him. Don't let any misgivings come in your way. Don't let any doubts or
suspicions stop you from striving in the way of Allah (SWT). The promise is on Him. He will
most certainly fulfill His promise. He has made this promise thrice: in the Torah, in the Gospel,
and then in the Qur'an. And who can be more faithful and trustworthy in his promise than
Allah (SWT) Himself? So rejoice and celebrate, because of this bargain you have made with
Almighty Allah (SWT). What you are asked to give up is so trivial and insignificant, and what
you'll get is so glorious and exalted. This, indeed, is the biggest triumph, the supreme and
ultimate success.
Here, we see that the verse under discussion starts with the verb " " and ends with the
noun " ". What is the difference between the two? The first refers to simple purchasing, the
second refers to the process of transaction between two parties. It was a common practice among
the Arabs that, when it came to buying and selling, they would argue about the price or the
quality of the merchandise, but when the deal was finally settled, they would shake hands with
each other. This handshake was a symbol that the bargain has been settled, that no party can
now go back on his words. This final agreement, symbolized by a handshake, is called " "
and this, in fact, is the basis of bai'yah.
The important issue here is that the transaction is to take place between Almighty Allah
(SWT) and the believer, but we cannot deal directly with the Lord and Creator of the universe.
It means that we need an intermediary, a go-between, to mediate this transaction. Allah (SWT)
is purchasing the life and possessions of a mo'min, and the mo'min is willing to sell, but who
would tell him how and when and in what manner to invest his life and possessions? For
twelve long years in Makkah, the order of the day was to remain passive, non-violent, patient;
in Madinah, the order was to go ahead, to fight, to confront. But who decided all this? Herein
comes the role of the organization, of the ameer, and of listening and obeying.
Indeed it is all very simple and logical. Almighty Allah (SWT) is the buyer, and mo'min, the
seller. In between these two was the hand of Muhammad. May Allah's peace and blessings be
upon him. The real purchaser or the buyer is, of course, Almighty Allah (SWT), but the pledge
15
of obedience and allegiance was given to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Thus, the Holy Qur'an
says:
Those who swear allegiance to you (O Prophet!) indeed swear allegiance to Allah; and Allah's
hand is over theirs. Then whosoever breaks the promise, breaks it to his own loss; but
whosoever fulfills the promise made to Allah will receive a great reward from Him. (Al-Fath
48:10)
This makes it a trilateral agreement. Selling of the life and property by the believer to
Almighty Allah (SWT), but the promise of obedience to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The
mo'min, in effect, says to the Prophet (SAW) that my life and property is at your disposal, you
will tell me what to do with them, you will guide me as to how and when and in what manner
to sacrifice them. The ultimate purpose remains the attainment of Allah's pleasure and His
rewards in the Hereafter. This is bai'yah, pure and simple.
Please note that the wordings of the bai'yah that was given by Muslim men to Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) are not mentioned anywhere in the Holy Qur'an, although they are
described fully in ahadith. On the other hand, we find that the wordings of the bai'yah of women
(bai'yah al-nisa) are clearly mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. Thus, we read:
O Prophet, when believing women come to you and swear on oath that they will not associate
anything with Allah, nor steal, nor fornicate, nor kill their children, nor accuse others for what
they have fabricated themselves, nor disobey you in any rightful thing, then you should accept
their allegiance, and ask forgiveness of Allah for them. Certainly Allah is forgiving and kind.
(Al-Mumtahinah 60:12)
A study of the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) reveals that the most important bai'yah
that was taken by him after Hijrah was bai'yah al-ridwan, which was taken just before the treaty
of Hudaybiah. However, as regards the life of the Prophet (SAW) before his migration to
Madinah, we find two very notable oaths of allegiance, given to the Prophet by the Muslim
visitors from Madinah, or Yathrib, as it was then called.
The nearest point of Mina to Makkah is the valley of Aqabah, and it was here that, during
the annual Pilgrimage, six men from Yathrib embraced Islam after meeting with Prophet
Muhammad (SAW). The next year, five of them repeated their Pilgrimage and brought with
them seven others. These twelve people pledged themselves to the Prophet (SAW), and this is
known as the first pledge of Aqabah. The wordings of the oath taken by these twelve are identical
with the wordings of the bai'yah of women, as they appear in the Qur'anic verse quoted above.
The next year, seventy two men and two women came from Yathrib and they pledged their
allegiance to the Prophet (SAW), and this is known as the Second pledge of Aqabah. The wording
of this bai'yah is extremely significant, but we shall discuss it later.
Please note that there were a number of different pledges taken by the Prophet (SAW)
from his Companions (RAA) on various occasions. As a matter of fact, whenever he felt the
need to get a firm promise or commitment from his Companions (RAA), the Holy Prophet
(SAW) would use the word bai'yah. Thus, we see that Imam Nasai (RA), a great teacher and
collector of traditions, has enumerated no less than ten different types of pledges that were
taken by the Prophet (SAW) from his Companions (RAA) on different occasions. Let me quote
them: bai'yah that we shall listen and obey, that we shall always say the truth, that we give you
the prerogative to prefer anybody over us, that we won't run away from the battle field, that we
promise to engage in Jihad, the bai'yah that we shall always say what is just, that we shall always
be sincere to every Muslim, that we are ready to die for the sake of Allah (SWT), and finally the
16
bai'yah that we are ready to leave our homes whenever you order us. What all this means is that
bai'yah is the only form of commitment and the only basis of organization that is found in the
life and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). When the Companions (RAA) were digging
the trench to protect Madinah in the battle of Ahzaab, they were chanting the following couplet:
We are those who have pledged ourselves to Muhammad For Jihad; and this Jihad is to continue
as long as we are alive.
The Role of Bai'yah in Muslim History
So far, I have mentioned the fact twice that bai'yah formed the only basis of organization in
the thirteen hundred years long history of the Muslim Ummah. It is now time to substantiate
this claim with examples from our past. As all of you know, the institution of Khilafah
established after the death of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was based on bai'yah. Soon
afterwards, when it was felt that the all important institution of Khilafah is slowly degenerating
into monarchy and kingship of a particular clan, we see that Hussain Ibn Ali (RAA), followed
by Abdullah Ibn Zubair (RAA), rose to check this trend. Both these movements, though
unsuccessful, were based on bai'yah. Subsequently, we find that although monarchy established
itself with brute force, the kings — still called Caliphs — continued to rule on the basis of
bai'yah.
Even though there is essentially no separation between faith/religion and
government/state in Islam, for all practical purposes this separation did take place during the
era of kingship. Consequently, and unfortunately, the institution of bai'yah was also bisected
into two kinds. The monarchs or the kings would demand a political pledge of obedience from
the citizens, and, in addition, there were sufis and mystics who would receive a moral and
spiritual pledge of allegiance from the same citizens for the purpose of purification of their
souls (tazkiyyah al-nafs). This became the basis of bai'yah al-irshad.
What is meant by bai'yah al-irshad? A person feels the need for a spiritual guide or mentor
who would coach and instruct him so that he can become a better Muslim, and, with this
purpose in mind, he attaches himself with a pious person who has already purified his own
self. This attachment is symbolized by bai'yah, a pledge of allegiance on the part of the disciple,
who says, in effect, that you are more knowledgeable and more experienced than I am, so you
would tell me what to do and what to avoid, and you would monitor my progress and advise
and instruct me at every step of the way. This is bai'yah al-irshad, and, due to the deplorable
decline of the Ummah, this is the only type of bai'yah that an ordinary Muslim is aware of. It
may be noted that this institution is justifiable on the grounds of the bai'yah of women,
mentioned in the Qur'an, which had a similar nature and purpose.
Please note that all freedom movements, that were launched during the previous century
with the aim of liberating the Muslim lands from Colonial rule, were based on bai'yah. The
Mujahideen Movement of Sayyed Ahmad Shaheed (1786-1831) in India, the Sanussi Movement
of Muhammad Ibn Ali Al-Sannusi (1787-1859) in Libya, and the Mahdist Movement of
Muhammad Ahmad Al-Mahdi (1844-1885) in Sudan — each one of these freedom struggles
was based on the institution of bai'yah. In the present century, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
formed his party, called Hizbullah, in 1913, on the basis of bai'yah. Similarly, the founding
members in the Al-Ikhwan Al-Muslimun gave their pledge of allegiance to their al-murshid al-'am,
Hassan Al-Banna Shaheed.
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Let me narrate here a very important but largely forgotten episode of the present century.
The second convention of Jamiyat Ulama-e-Hind was held in November 1920. It was presided
over by Sheikh-ul-Hind Maulana Mehmood Hassan of Deoband who exhorted and tried hard to
convince the Ulama belonging to various sects and different schools of thought to accept
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as their leader, to give him their pledge of allegiance, and to start
the struggle for freedom and establishment of Islam in the Indian subcontinent. Unfortunately,
the Ulama did not show any enthusiasm and refused to commit themselves, mainly due to
sectarian disagreements.
Another movement of the recent past that involved bai'yah was the one launched in the
1930's in order to deal with the menace of Qadianiyat. Five hundred Ulama belonging to the
Deoband school of thought chose Maulana Ataullah Shah Bukhari as Ameer-e-Shari'at, and they
gave their pledge to him in Lahore. Although Maulana Bukhari was not a very prominent
scholar, we find that people like Maulana Ahmad Ali Lahori and Maulana Anwar Shah
Kashmiri were among those who gave their bai'yah to the Ameer-e-Shariat.
Thus, we see that, throughout the thirteen hundred year's history of the Muslim Ummah,
the only means and the only approach that was used to organize the masses is bai'yah. Whether
the issue was that of formation of a legitimate government, the launching of movements to reintroduce
the high ideals of pristine Islam, the purification of souls, or the struggle to liberate
Muslim lands from non-Muslim occupation, you will find that, invariably, people were
gathered, motivated, and assembled only on the basis of bai'yah. The only exception is that
when Maulana Sayyid Abul 'Ala Maududi decided to establish an Islamic revivalist party in
1941, he did not adopt the institution of bai'yah as the basis of his organization. I have been
talking about the "thirteen-hundred year's history" of the Ummah only on account of this very
exception, as I had to exclude the fourteenth century.
Oath of Allegiance for Joining Tanzeem-e-Islami
I have established Tanzeem-e-Islami on the basis of bai'yah. The oath of allegiance for
joining Tanzeem-e-Islami is derived from an authentic tradition which gives us the details of
the pledge that was given to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), by the visitors from Yathrib, on the
occasion of the second bai'yah of Aqabah. My assertion is that this tradition contains the whole
approach and procedure of how to establish Hizbullah, a revolutionary party with the exclusive
purpose of making Islam dominant as a politico-socio-economic order. If you are trying to
organize a party in order to perform at social level, at community level, or at welfare level, then
you can have any type of organization. But a revolutionary party, by its very nature, requires
extraordinary discipline and internal cohesion. This can only be achieved if the party is
organized on the basis of bai'yah.
Let me give you the text of this tradition. It is reported by Ubada Ibn Samit (RAA), and
both Imam Bukhari (RA) and Imam Muslim (RA) have included this hadith in their respective
collections. Please note how comprehensive, how inclusive the wording of this bai'yah is, how
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has closed off and sealed all possible doors of conflict.
Ubada Ibn Samit (RAA) reports:
We pledged ourselves to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) that we shall listen and obey, in
favorable circumstances as well as in adversity, irrespective of whether we feel inclined or we
have to force ourselves, and even if others are given preference over us. We shall never quarrel
with those who are assigned office or authority. But we shall speak out the truth wherever we
18
might be, and, in the matter concerning the cause of Allah, we shall not be deterred because of
the admonition or disapproval from anybody.
Note that in every collective effort, whenever there is an issue or problem to be dealt with,
almost invariably you will find that numerous opinions and different — often contradictory —
solutions are offered. But, of course, only a single, firm decision needs to be taken by the party
leader. Now the members of the organization who agree with the decision will be happy in
carrying it out. They will be rather pleased at the acceptance of their own viewpoint, and they
would naturally be more active in the implementation of that decision. On the other hand,
those who disagree with the decision taken at the top are likely to resent it, and they would be
reluctant and disinclined to carry out the orders. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) rooted out this
source of potential conflict by making the Companions (RAA) promise that they would obey
whatever they are commanded, irrespective of whether they feel inclined towards it or whether
they have to force themselves to do it.
Another type of conflict that can arise is in nomination or appointment of persons on
various cadres of authority. If a newcomer, even though talented and capable, is made in
charge of the affairs at any level, this may cause resentment among the senior ones. Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) again sealed this portal of discord by making the Companions (RAA)
promise that they would not argue his right to appoint their leaders, and that they would
continue to listen and obey even if others are preferred over them.
The exceptional degree of discipline inherent in the pledge of "listening and obeying" does
not, however, preclude a member of the Islamic revolutionary party from speaking out what he
believes to be the truth, or from criticizing the policies of those in authority, or from pointing
out that they are deviating from the straight path. Thus, the wording of the second pledge of
Aqabah includes the provision for the freedom of opinion and expression in the words "we
shall speak out the truth wherever we might be." Of course, the nature of an organization based
on the institution of bai'yah necessitates that the final authority rests with the ameer. In other
words, after all is said and every point discussed and deliberated, the final decision will depend
not on the counting of votes but, instead, on the prerogative of the ameer.
The oath of allegiance which has been adopted as the basis of joining Tanzeem-e-Islami has
three parts. In the first part you consciously testify that there is no god but Allah (SWT), and
that Muhammad (SAW) is His bondsman and Messenger, and then you beg Almighty Allah's
(SWT) forgiveness for all your past sins and make a fresh and firm pledge to obey Him in the
future. In the second part of the oath, you make a firm promise with Almighty Allah (SWT) that
you will refrain from all that He dislikes, and that you will strive in His path to your utmost,
spending your possessions as well as your abilities and energies in establishing His Deen. Then,
in the third part, you give your pledge of allegiance to the ameer of Tanzeem-e-Islami, that you
will listen and obey all his orders and commands as long as they are compatible with the
Shari'ah. This last provision — that only those orders are to be obeyed which are within the
limits of the Shari'ah — is the only addition that we have made in the wording of the second
pledge of Aqabah. The rest of the wording is the same as mentioned in the tradition of Ubada
Ibn Samit (RAA).
The Importance of Bai'yah
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said that whosoever dies in a state that there is no bond of
bai'yah around his neck, he dies a death of jahiliyyah, i.e., truly speaking, he does not die as a
19
true Muslim. This hadith is very categorical, but most of us are under the erroneous impression
that if we are attached with a pious person with regard to bai'yah al-irshad, then we are fulfilling
the requirement of this hadith. Not at all! What is meant by the term bai'yah in the hadith quoted
above refers to the collective system of the Ummah, and this type of bai'yah can exist only in two
forms: either there is an Islamic state or the system of Khilafah in existence, in which case we
have to pledge allegiance to the khalifah; if not, then we have to strive in an organized manner to
establish such a state. For this, there must be a Hizbullah, or the Party of Almighty Allah (SWT),
and we must give our pledge of allegiance or bai'yah to the ameer of that party.
The system of Khilafah won't come about easily. It won't drop out of the heavens. It won't
be offered to us on a silver platter. We would have to strive and struggle for it. We will have to
exert ourselves to the utmost. We will have to sacrifice our time and recourses and energies and
capabilities to make this dream a reality. There are no shortcuts.
We must also realize that nothing worthwhile and nothing substantial can ever be
accomplished in this world without a collective effort. If there is no Islamic state in existence,
then we have to try and establish it, and this cannot be done without a cohesive and disciplined
party. Hence the need to revive the institution of bai'yah.
There is only one possibility where we are exempted from having the bond of bai'yah
around our necks. This is the situation of extreme turmoil and chaos, when every one is
bewildered, confused, and perplexed. No one knows what to do, where to go, whom to follow.
But if you think that you are living in this condition of extreme turmoil and chaos, and
therefore you are excused from having the bond of bai'yah around your neck, think again. You
are not allowed to live in a civilized society if there is extreme fitnah. You are not allowed to
avail and enjoy the facilities and amenities of modern civic life if there is extreme fitnah. Instead,
you are required to give up everything and go to the wilderness. Thus, if a person is living a
normal life with his family, and enjoying every facility and comfort that technology and civic
life has brought to his door step, and he still claims that there is extreme fitnah, then this
attitude is nothing short of self-deception. If there is really unbearable chaos, then remember
that you are not allowed to live a comfortable life in that condition.
May Allah give us the courage to accept the truth wherever we may find it, and enable us
to live as Muslims and to die as Muslims. May Allah (SWT) inspire us to do whatever pleases
Him. Aameen!
20
Oath of Allegiance for Joining Tanzeem-e-Islami
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Ever Merciful
I testify that there is no god except Allah; He is one and alone; He has no shareek (associate, equal,
or partner), and that Muhammad is His abd (bondsman or slave) and His rasool (messenger).
(May Allah bestow His grace and peace upon him!)
I beg Allah to forgive all my (past) sins, and I return towards His obedience with a sincere
repentance .
I make a Solemn Covenant with Allah (SWT) that
I will refrain from all that He dislikes,
I will strive in His path to my utmost,
I will spend my belongings as well as my bodily resources, for the establishment of his Deen
and for making His word supreme
____ And for this Purpose____
I give my pledge to Dr. Israr Ahmad,
Ameer of Tanzeem-e-Islami
that I will listen to his orders and obey them as long as they are not against the Shari'ah,
in favorable circumstances as well as in adversity,
irrespective of whether I feel inclined or I have to force myself, even if others are given
preference over me.
I also solemnly pledge that I will never quarrel with those who are assigned office or authority,
I will say the truth wherever I might be,
I will not be deterred because of the reproach or disapproval of anybody in the matters
concerning the cause of Allah (SWT).
I ask for the succor of Allah (SWT), and I pray for courage and perseverance to stay on the straight path and to
honor and fulfill this pledge.
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