Bay‘ah (, literally a "sale" or a "commercial transaction"), in
Islamic terminology, is an
oath of allegiance to a leader. It is known to have been practiced by the
Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Bay'ah is sometimes taken under a written pact given on behalf of the subjects by leading members of the tribe with the understanding that as long as the leader abides by certain requirements towards his people, they are to maintain their allegiance to him.
Bay'ah is still practiced in countries such as
Saudi Arabia and
Sudan. In
Morocco,
Bay'ah is one of the foundations of the
Monarchy. In many Islamic traditions, the meaning of
bay'ah is to sell oneself to a spiritual master,
pir or
sheikh in exchange for the spiritual knowledge which he gives.