Nasai

461. Commentary: In the blessed era of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), four types of bay‘ah (pledge of allegiance) were practiced: ➊ Bay‘ah of Islam, that is, at the time of embracing Islam. ➋ Bay‘ah for migration (hijrah). ➌ Bay‘ah for jihad, that is, at the time of battle, for example, at the time of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. ➍ Bay‘ah of obedience, that is, for adherence to the commands and prohibitions of Allah, as mentioned in the above hadith. Later, the bay‘ah of caliphate (khilafah) began in place of the bay‘ah of Islam. The bay‘ah for jihad remained, but the bay‘ah of obedience came to an end, as if it was specific to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). This remained the case during the era of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) and the Followers (tabi‘in). Afterwards, the Sufi elders began to take bay‘ah, for the purpose of admitting people into their order and to ensure obedience to their every command. This is a new practice; if this bay‘ah is for obedience to the Shari‘ah, then its permissibility is possible, but the Companions and Followers did not do so, therefore it is not preferable. And if it is a bay‘ah for obedience to oneself, then it is prohibited, because in the Islamic Shari‘ah, no one besides the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is such that absolute obedience to him is permissible. For further detailed rulings and issues related to bay‘ah, see the Book of Bay‘ah (Kitab al-Bay‘ah).

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: The noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in) used to make covenants and pledges with the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and whatever matter they pledged allegiance upon, they would strive to fulfill it with utmost care and extraordinary dedication, in the most complete manner possible. It was precisely this spirit of obedience and the highest degree of chastity and piety that became the cause of their success and prosperity in both this world and the Hereafter. May Allah also grant today's Muslims the ability to do the same. (Ameen)

1642. English Commentary:
➊ Begging and making it a habit is a very bad practice from every perspective—dignity, honor, morals, and the Shariah. Even to get by by asking for ordinary necessities is a sign of severe moral decline.
➋ The era of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in) was unparalleled, and their steadfastness is worthy of being recorded in golden words.
➌ Bay'ah refers to the pledge or agreement that is established between two individuals. In Islam, there is the bay'ah of Islam, the bay'ah of jihad, and the bay'ah of seeking guidance and repentance. In the best generations (khayr al-quroon), evidence is found for the first two types of bay'ah. During the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and for some time after them, only these two types of bay'ah were practiced. The third type was considered specific to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). However, some righteous individuals have accepted and practiced this third bay'ah, though its legal (shar'i) significance is subject to scrutiny. The excesses committed in this regard by the people of innovation (ahl al-bid'ah)—may Allah protect us—are sheer innovation (bid'ah) in their entirety, no matter what kind of oppression they may commit, unless they commit (kufr bawah) manifest disbelief. For a detailed discussion of this issue, one should refer to the topic of the rights, duties, and relations of the ruler and the ruled.

Benefits and Issues:

➊ The praise of his teacher by Abu Muslim rahimahullah expresses the sentiments of respect and love for teachers among the righteous predecessors (salaf salihin). The relationship of a student with his teacher should be just like this.

➋ Apart from the pledge of Islam or the pledge of caliphate, it is also permissible to pledge allegiance (bay‘ah) at the hand of a righteous scholar for the commitment to any good deed or to abstain from a sin. The status of this bay‘ah is merely that of a promise, due to which it becomes easier for the one making the promise to remain steadfast upon goodness or to avoid sin.

➌ Many non-shari‘ah (un-Islamic) practices have become incorporated into the prevalent khanqah (Sufi lodge) system. This bay‘ah does not establish the legitimacy of that entire system.

➍ Self-restraint is itself a desirable Islamic trait.

➊ Benefits and Issues:

SubhanAllah! The noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) had already been honored with Islam by pledging allegiance to the Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Yet, in order to highlight and emphasize extremely important matters, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) announced the taking of allegiance once again. Then observe the spirit of obedience to the Messenger among the Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in): they valued the command of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to such an extent that if someone was mounted on a riding animal and his whip or staff fell, he would dismount to pick it up out of respect for the statement of the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), but would not tolerate taking service from anyone else. «لا تسألوا»