Rifai Tradition الطريقة الرفاعية

The Path

Entering the path بيعة

One enters a Sufi path by a covenant, the bayʿa, taken at the hand of a guide — after the pledges the Companions gave the Prophet.

Kenan Rifâî described the Rifāʿī covenant, as summarised by Tahralı and quoted by Atik. Its meaning lies in what is promised:

  • Return to God. The seeker begins with purification and prayer, as a sign of repentance.
  • The Prophet's pledge renewed. The guide recalls the Qur'anic verse of the pledge (al-Fatḥ 48:10) and the covenant is sealed hand in hand.
  • Asking forgiveness together, and renewing faithfulness to the beliefs and worship of Islam.
  • Service. The seeker promises to help the weak, the poor and the helpless.
  • One guide. The seeker promises to take no guide but the Pîr, with God and the Prophet as witnesses.
The bayʿa is given by an authorised guide in person, in the manner of his own line; the forms differ between branches. This page records its meaning, not its procedure.