From What Kind of Person Should One Take Bay‘ah

Question

Is it necessary to take bay’ah? If one is unable to take bay’ah, will there be any sin in this? And what qualities should one look for in a spiritual guide in order to take bay’ah?

Answer

The essence of the matter is that it is necessary to adopt sound beliefs, noble character and righteous deeds, and it is necessary to safeguard oneself from false beliefs, base character and corrupt deeds — whether through bay’ah, or through the acquisition of knowledge, or through the company of the elders.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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