So here's the thing I search the web for background knowledge on sufism till I stumbled across this new notion of pledging allegiance online. Personally I have given initiation to the Shadhilli tariqa so this is something quite important and close to me. For years I have read upon how sacred this bond is and the necessity of doing this in person as it involves a direct spiritual experience so honestly speaking the concept of an eshaykh completely threw me. Is it truly possible to gain a deep and strong relationship with your shaykh if you have never seen or been in their presence? Surely the path of suluk involves travelling together on the spiritual journey. It's amazing how with the increase of technology everything has become web based, from virtual churches, mosques to virtual shaykhs. How would one gain the ultimate eshaykh experience?
A Google search on this immediately leads one to the Naqshbandi tariqa who offer this service online for remote believers. This website is an illustration of how informal the initiation process has become, simply by reading a few selected verses from the quran one has ultimately become a follower of Shaykh Nazim (the successor of this particular tariqa). I wish to find out to what extent this method of giving initiation is scared and valid. Can the same spiritual rewards be attained? Undoubtedly anyone can stumble across the website and read out aloud the verses required to give baya without the intention of actually giving initiation so would that mean they have now pledged allegiance to this particular shaykh? And if not, is it right to publicly display this as not everyone will understand what giving baya involves? It is true that a lot of traditions are under the view that once someone pledges allegiance they under oath to that particular tariqa and obliged to follow- in other words there is no turning back! Would that mean our simple browsers and passer byers are now stuck???
Thus throughout this blog I intend to delve into the online world of mureeds and eshaykhs. The first few posts will be concentrated on the love, importance and need for a shaykh as this will help to create an understanding of why people take online initiation.
I understand that your initial reaction to baya online may well be of surprise. You say, in your post above that initiation should be something in person. However there are many international tariqas, who have Shaykhs in one country for example (sticking with the Haqqani example) Cyprus and their mureeds are in countries all over the world. Therefore, a baya in person with the Shaykh is not possible for everyone.
ReplyDeleteAlso a "mystical/spiritual" experience is entirely subjective and I don't think anything should really be based on that anyway.
I believe baya is based entirely on intention thus someone "accidently" reading the initiation statement online does not necessitate actual baya. I do agree with you that the baya should not be taken lightly. Also it is an important part (perhaps the foundation) of the journey of a Sufi. I just think baya, that is not done with the Shaykh(a) directly and in person, should not be disregarded entirely
Thank you for your comment, you have raised a completely valid point it is true that people resort to online initiation as they are remote believers and therefore cannot do so in person. As you have mentioned the Naqshbandi tariqa precisley for this reason allow for online intiation.
DeleteHowever as for your thoughts on the intentions beyond the baya this is valid but we all have the duty and right to seek knowlegde for seeking knowlegde is the highest form of worship. For those who do not know what baya is and are accidently reading it out aloud do they then not have the duty to find out what it is they are actually reciting? I mean realistically speaking not everyone knows about baya or is keen on this subject so for them to have even stumbled across the website and look into it would mean that they have some knowledge and interest in this atleast. We should not take things for face value and always strive to learn and know what it is that we are reading or looking into.
I think the full extent of Baya is misunderstood by alot of people nowadays. I look around and see people being intiated as part of a trend, they don't know full and true meaning behind giving baya.
ReplyDeleteMy belief is Baya is something done when one truly accepts the true meaning and love and responsibility that they are taking on.
I understand what you mean when you say how informal it is to give baya online. However as it is advised on the said website, this is a mean for those who are unable to meet or give baya to Sheik Nazim in person. Even still they recommend that when or if ever given the opportunity to give baya in person (when ofcourse you see sheik nazim).
It is the good intention of the person who gives baya, simply reciting the verses accidently does not make a person intiated in the silsila.
can spiritual rewards be attained? It is the intention a person takes to attain spiritual reward. Just because someone has not been lucky enough to give baya to a shiekh physically should not affect how they are rewarded.
Bear in my in Islam we stand facing towards the Kabah recite our Niyah (intention) before reading namaz to Allah who we have never seen, yet it is our faith that keeps us strong in the belief that Allah exists.
Sufism has been known for its spirituality, so why is it that we need physical attributes to attain rewards.
It is also worth mentioning that Hazrat Uwais Qarni R.A lived during the time of Prophet Muhammed S.A.W. His love for the prophet was so immense that he knocked all his teeth out when he heard our beloved prophet lost a tooth. Uwais Qarni R.A had immense love for the prophet yet he never met him.
This similar concept can be taken to what you are reffering to, giving baya is about the intention and reason you doing it. Just because a person does give baya online should not affect how they feel.
As far as your views on pledging alligiance, my view is that every person has responsibility to research and gain knowledge on what they are doing. I do not believe someone that is unaware and just recites the said verses are intiated into a silsila.