The following is the translation of an Arabic Q&A from the website of t he noble mujtahid and mufassir Sheikh `Ata’ Ibn Khalil Abu Rashtah (Allah preserve him). Question: The term "Al-Bay'ah" was mentioned in the hadith to mean ‘the contract between the Khaleefah and the Ummah', so is this meaning to the term "al-Bay'ah" a linguistic or divine (Shar'ii) meaning? Is it a linguistic meaning (Haqeeqah) or a divine (Shar'ii) meaning? Answer: The term "Al-Bay'ah" mentioned in the hadith means 'the contract between the Khaleefah and the Ummah'. Is the term "al-Bay'ah" a linguistic meaning (Haqeeqah) or a divine (Shar'ii) meaning? The term "Bayah" is a divine (Shar'ii) meaning, and not a customary meaning or a specific customary meaning (istilah). This is because its definition was specified by the Legislator (Allah), not by tradition (urf). To explain this, "Bayah" in
"Thoughts are the greatest wealth of any nation."