Overview
The bayaa origins start with the death of the Prophet Muhammad (c. 7th century) and the public support given to the caliphs who followed him.
During a two-day ceremony, hundreds of clerics, tribal chiefs, military officers, and other prominent citizens pledge their allegiance to the new ruler. Each of these individuals shakes the hand of the new ruler and states "I express my allegiance to you. I hear and obey, except in what would disobey God."
The ceremony is meant to be open to all citizens, but rarely is. Some Muslims view this ceremony as a facade used to maintain a system of hereditary monarchy, whereas the first four post-Mohammad rulers were selected by the citizens (a practice of public consensus called "shura").
An example of a ruler denied bayaa was Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah, who succeeded the late Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah as Emir of Kuwait on January 15, 2006, but was believed unable even to recite the oath of office because of poor health. His brief rule therefore ended on January 24 due to pressure by the country's National Assembly.
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