Difference Between Bai'yah of Men and Women
Bai'yah - A
pledge of allegiance
Regarding the
differences between men and women, a significant difference exists in the Bai’yah
of the two genders. Just before the Hijrah, the Prophet (SAW) took the pledge
for Iqamah al-Deen, also known as the Second Pledge of 'Aqabah, only from his
male companions. The terms of this oath were very strict and demanded the
obedience to the Ameer - leader - under
all circumstances, even if one has to force himself against his will. It also
required one to obey all the persons in the hierarchy of authority other than
the Ameer. Without doubt the terms and conditions of this oath are very strict,
but the formation of an organized and dedicated group of people who are ready
to make any kind of sacrifice to bring about an Islamic revolution, cannot be
achieved without such discipline. In the oath, therefore, the whole emphasis is
on discipline and maintenance of this discipline is guaranteed positively by
stressing the right attitude of "listen and obey" and negatively by sealing
off all doors that might lead to disobedience or disorder in the ranks of the
revolutionary group.
As far as the
Bai'yah of women is concerned, at the occasion of the Second Pledge of 'Aqabah,
there is no mention of either women not taking part in it, nor any mention of a
separate Bai'yah for them
(even though the presence of at least two women, at this occasion, is confirmed).
However, the oath administered to women, as can be proved by the Qur'an and Sunnah, is
basically an oath of piety and righteousness: to denounce all gods but Allah,
to give up bad deeds - harming, lying, stealing,
adultery, fabricating falsehoods and finally not to go against any order of
Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (SAW). The words used, in this Bai'yah are same as
those of the First Pledge of 'Aqabah, which took place a year before the second
pledge, taken 'from twelve men from Yathrib (Madinah). This proves that the
strict discipline, required of men, as members of a disciplined organization,
is not required of women. This can be naturally explained by the fact that
women are not supposed to directly participate in the highest stage of
religious responsibilities. Their participation is more of an indirect nature.
It should be
pointed out that the Bai'yah taken by the Sufiyaah, known as Bai'yah
al-Irshad, is similar to the one taken by the women. This is due to the
fact that the concept of Iqamah al-Deen
as an obligation is non-existent among them.
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