Imam Ali (as) said...

Imam Ali (as) said: Yes, it was by force…[^2] Thus from what we have mentioned it becomes clear that allegiance is effected by putting ones hands in another’s. In the same way is shaking of the hands as the experts of lexicology are aware. And it is called a ‘good allegiance’ and it is mentioned in tradition that ‘Allah has blessed the shaking of hands’. And the poet has said: Time came to purchase my life continually. I said I will not sell it for the world and what is in it.

But it began to purchase it little by little with nothing. May those hands perish that sell at a loss.

In Kafi , it is narrated from His Eminence, Abu Abdullah Imam Sadiq (as) that he said: One who separates from the congregation of Muslims and breaks the allegiance of the Imam will come to Allah, the Mighty and Sublime on Judgment Day with amputed hand.[^3] Although it must be clarified that placing of the hand is itself not the essence of Bayyat, it only a sign that Bayyat is complete and apparently whereas the main thing is the pledge and vow so that one is really included among the believers who have purchased Paradise even thought they might not have placed their hands over the hand of the Messenger of Allah (S) or the Imam (as), as was the case of most believers who lived during the time of the Holy Imam (as).

We will bring the evidence for this. The aim of all this was that this is a deviation. I beg to the Almighty Allah by the Barakah of Ahle Bayt (as) to keep us safe from deviation.

Discussion Two: Regarding the command of Bayyat Here it must be mentioned that: Bayyat in the first sense is obligatory on all; men and women, slave and freemen, rather Faith is not complete without it, as the essence of faith is belief by heart and acceptance by tongue of the obedience of the Prophet and the Holy Imams (as) and to submit to them and to help them with ones life and property.