Oath of Allegiance, Biyah, as Understood from Imam Ali's View in Nahj al-Balaghah

Oath of allegiance in Islamic literature is regarded as a way for showing faithful adherence to sovereignty as giving the right of ruling to it; this manner of citizens` political participation has been sanctioned by Divine sovereignty. By the right of sovereignty is meant people`s right to decide their socio-political fate. Oath of allegiance in Imam Ali`s view and action is of a very considerable resemblance with republicanism and sovereignty of nation`s will; for Imam, oath of allegiance is regarded as the way for government to be actualized and nationally agreeing with. In the paper, literal and technical meanings of oath of allegiance, its necessity and importance and its historical background in Ghadir Khom and after the caliphate of the first caliphs with regard to Imam Ali`s sayings in the field have been presented and explained. As explained in the paper, fundamental effect of oath of allegiance in the establishment of Alawi just government as well as the measures for a valid oath of allegiance have been studied. In addition, some cases of Imam`s artistically image-creating in describing oath of allegiance have been shown.