Is Bait necessary?

Bay’ah is not an essential aspect of Islam and one
will not be sinful for this.

However, one’s spiritual reformation is essential and
it is generally experienced that the best way to go
about this is to adopt the company of a pious person
(a spiritual guide who has received Ijazah from a
reputable and authentic Shaikh) to whom one can relate
to regarding one’s spiritual weaknesses and bad habits
and act upon his advice.

It is very much like consulting a Doctor for one’s
physical sicknesses. Being qualified and a specialist
in the field of medicine, he is considered the best
person to consult when one falls sick. Likewise,
common sense would dictate the same for spiritual
sicknesses as well as progressing in the path of
sulook through developing a greater sense of awareness
of Allah (SWT), becoming ware of the deception of the
Nafs and Shaitaan, etc.

The actual act of taking Bay’ah will make the whole
process of self-reformation more formal and will help
the Mureed to take the path of sulook with
seriousness.

(2) Finding a Shaikh – This very much depends on
‘Munasabat’ i.e. compatibility. In order to derive
benefit from one’s sheikh, one has to find him
approachable and compatible. Therefore, it is
advisable not to hasten when in search of a Sheikh.
Rather, one should initially consult a number of
Shuyookh, observe their Majaalis, sit in their company
before eventually deciding. Istikharah should also be
made.

(3) An authentic Sheikh will not stop his Mureed from
going in Jamaat unless he perceives a specific issue
which is acting as barrier for the mureed’s
reformation. This will not be on the basis of personal
conflict with the actual effort of Tabligh bur rather
for a malady which the sheikh may have noticed within
the Mureed, in which case it would be essential for
the mureed to comply.

And Allah knows Best
Wa Alaykumussalaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
http://www.foodguide.org.uk

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(Mufti) Abdullah Patel
Halal Food Guide