MADISON MUSLIM DAWA CIRCLE New Web site !!! www.madisondawacircle.com

So in developing a community it is necessary to put forward a leader, one who will work to bring the people together and help them to establish Islam in a social setting.

This leader is called an Amir. The Amir can be the Imam who leads the prayer, or he can also assign the Imam if he so choses. The Amir is the pivot point for the community activity. Generally all community matters are presented to the Amir for approval as he is the one responsible for the direction of the community affairs. He has the right to make a decision without any buracratic draw, but usually will seek council from those who are most knowlegable or active around him.

The community has the responsibility of upholding his authority and this means, to some degree, everyone is responsible to make sure that he is active in the community for the sake of the pleasure of Allah.

The act of putting an Amir forward is done by Bayyah, or an oath of allegiance. This is done first because Allah said in the Quran:

"Hold fast to the rope of Allah, all together, and do not split up"

Also"Oh you who believe! Obey Allah, Obey the Messenger, and those of you who are in authority."

And from the messanger of Allah( peace and blessings be upon him)"Whoever dies without having bound himself by an oath of allegiance to an Amir will die the death of one belonging to the days of Jahilliya(days of ignorance)."

Also in the Quran Allah makes clear His pleasure with the believers who give bayyah:

"Certainly Allah was well pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance to you under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquillity on them and rewarded them with a near victory,"

This provides clarification for the need of an Amir from the Quran and Sunnah, which are the primary source for all Muslims.

For the Madison Muslim Dawa Circle the Amir is Salih Erschen. He was chosen out of the core active members and then given Bayyah.

The hand of the Amir is taken by the men,and prayer beeds are used between the ladies(as it is not proper to take the hand of a woman who is not your wife or relative.) The individual giving the Bayyah says..."In the name of Allah, The Merciful, The Compassionate,to the slave of Allah Salih Erschen, the Amir of the Madison Dawa Circle. Peace be upon you,I praise Allah to you,there is no god but Him. I acknowledge your right to my hearing and my obedience accordig to the sunna of Allah and the sunna of His Prophet in what I am able."

Then the reply is "In what you are able." (As the Prophet had replied.)

This transaction is based on hadiths found in the traditional work, al-Muwatta, of Imam Malik ibn Anas.