Shaykh (Peer in Urdu & Persian) khalifa mureed in Islam

http://raza-e-khushtar.org/articles/practicing-islam/significance-of-taking-bayah

Source of the article:; http://www.spiritualfoundation.net/shaykhmureed.htm

The origin of this "bay'ah" is traced all the way to the Noble Prophet, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, when he took the bay'ah from his Noble Companions under the tree (Bay'at al-Ridwan), thus, Allah, Ta'ala became pleased with them and He stated:

Translation: "Indeed, ALLAH ('azza wa Jalla) was well-pleased with the Believers when they gave the bay'ah (pledge) to you (O Muhammad, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam) under the Tree.."

[Surah 48: al-Fath, Verse:18]

He, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, further states:

Translation: "Verily, those who give bay'ah (pledge) to you, (O Muhammad, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam) they are giving bay'ah (pledge) to ALLAH ('azza wa Jalla). The Hand of ALLAH is over their hands. [Surah 48: al-Fath, Verse: 10]

It has been narrated that Sayyiduna 'Uthman, the Third Khalifa, was not present at the time of this bay'ah, so the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, placed his own hand on his other hand and stated: "This is Allah's Hand of Power and this is the hand of 'Uthman". Thus, the Prophet, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, placed one hand on top of the other and took the bay'ah (from 'Uthman).

When the Noble Prophet, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, finished taking the bay'ahfrom the Noble Companions, he went in his house and the female Companions (Allah, be well pleased with them all), were present awaiting and ready to take the bay'ah. The Noble Prophet, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, paused for a while (thinking of whether he should take the bay'ah from them or not) so the verse was revealed:

Translation: "O Prophet (salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam)! When believing women come to you to give you bay'ah (pledge), that they will not associate anything with ALLAH, and nor will they steal, and nor will they commit adultery, and nor will they kill their children, and nor will they utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood and that they will not disobey you in any m'aruf (Good), then (O Messenger!) accept their bay'ah (pledge) and ask ALLAH to forgive them. Verily, ALLAH is Oft- Forgiving, Ever Merciful."

[Surah 60 – al-Mumtahinah – Verse: 12]

The Noble Prophet, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, also took bay'ah from the believing women. HOWEVER, THE PROPHET'S, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, HAND NEVER TOUCHED THAT OF A WOMEN'S, THIS IS WHY SAYYIDAH 'A'ISHA AL-SIDDIQA, Radi Allahu 'anha, stated:

"The Prophet (salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam) took the bay'ah from the (believing) women verbally, his blessed hand never touched a woman's hand"

Sayyidah 'A'isha, Allah be well pleased with her, stated that the "Noble Prophet's,salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam's, hand never touched the hand of a woman", whether she was young or old.