A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The pledge of allegiance (bay'ah).
The pledge of allegiance is a contract between the subjects, or those who represent them,
and the leader to whom the subjects entrust, by virtue of this contract,
his leadership over them and his governance of their affairs to fulfill their religious and worldly interests.
In return, they commit to listening to him and obeying him in what is righteous, provided it is not a sin.
Like any other contract, it has three pillars: the two contracting parties and the subject matter of the contract.
Therefore, the total loss of the subject matter of the contract invalidates and annuls it.
Consequently, there is no authority for one who squanders the religion, fights against it, and removes the law of Allah from governance.
A pledge of allegiance is not valid without the free choice that rests with the Ummah.
Representing them in this are the people of binding and loosing (ahl al-hall wa al-'aqd).
They are the people of sound judgment and consultation among them.
They select the leader whose pledge of allegiance is valid according to the Shari'ah.
He must be a person of piety and righteousness, possessing capability and influence.
It is not permissible to appoint a disbeliever or a flagrantly immoral person (fasiq) from the outset.
However, if one who is immoral is appointed, or if immorality occurs after his appointment,
his authority remains in effect, and prayer behind him is valid,
as long as he does not command the violation of the religion and the law of Allah.
As for the disbeliever, or one who falls into disbelief after his appointment,
his authority and leadership are not valid.
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾And never will Allah give the disbelievers over the believers a way [to overcome them].﴿