Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ al-Ḥadīth
Is it permissible to pledge allegiance (bayʿah) to a Sufi or scholar and follow the path of Sufism?
Al-ḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
“For the bayʿah of the Imām, it suffices that it is done by the ahl al-ḥall wa’l-ʿaqd. Comprehensive bayʿah by everyone is not obligatory. It is not required of every individual to place his hand in the Imām’s hand; rather, it suffices that he commits to obeying him, not opposing him, and not rebelling against him.”
“Bayʿah is only for the Muslim ruler. Multiple bayʿahs are an innovation and a product of division. Muslims in one country or state must have one bayʿah to one Imām. Multiple bayʿahs are impermissible.”
(المنتقى من فتاوى الشيخ صالح الفوزان 1/367)
Conclusion:
◈ Question:
Is it permissible to pledge allegiance (bayʿah) to a Sufi or scholar and follow the path of Sufism?
◈ Answer:
Al-ḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
- Bayʿah is only legislated for the Khalīfah/Imām of the Muslims.
- Bayʿah is conducted only by ahl al-ḥall wa’l-ʿaqd (scholars, jurists, and leaders of authority) through which the legitimacy of the Imām’s authority is established.
- It is not obligatory upon the general public to pledge bayʿah directly to the Imām.
- What is binding upon ordinary Muslims is to obey the Imām in obedience to Allah, not to rebel against him.
❀ Statement of Imam al-Mārzī رحمه الله (as quoted in Fatḥ al-Bārī):
“For the bayʿah of the Imām, it suffices that it is done by the ahl al-ḥall wa’l-ʿaqd. Comprehensive bayʿah by everyone is not obligatory. It is not required of every individual to place his hand in the Imām’s hand; rather, it suffices that he commits to obeying him, not opposing him, and not rebelling against him.”
❀ Clarification in Hadith:
- All hadith regarding bayʿah refer to the bayʿah of the legitimate Imām of the Muslims.
- No hadith supports bayʿah to any other person, group, or Sufi order.
❀ Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān حفظه الله said:
“Bayʿah is only for the Muslim ruler. Multiple bayʿahs are an innovation and a product of division. Muslims in one country or state must have one bayʿah to one Imām. Multiple bayʿahs are impermissible.”
(المنتقى من فتاوى الشيخ صالح الفوزان 1/367)
❖ Regarding Sufi Orders:
- The Sufi orders and chains of allegiance that exist today have no basis in Sharīʿah.
- It is obligatory to avoid them.
- A Muslim must shape his life purely in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Conclusion:- Bayʿah is only for the legitimate Imām/Khalīfah of the Muslims.
- Bayʿah to Sufis, shaykhs, or groups is an innovation (bidʿah).
- Following Sufi orders has no basis in Islam; instead, a Muslim must adhere strictly to the Qur’an and Sunnah.
