Declared 12 January 1889
The Ten Conditions of Bai'at
The complete text of the ten conditions of initiation, reproduced word for word. Read the Urdu original or the English translation — and take a copy with you.
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What is Bai'at?
Bai'at is an Arabic word meaning a pledge of allegiance. It is a covenant made willingly between a believer and a spiritual guide — a personal commitment to a way of living, not a membership form and not a contract.
On 12 January 1889, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (as) published an announcement titled Ishtehar Takmeel-e-Tabligh setting out ten conditions that anyone joining the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community would pledge to uphold. They were written in Urdu. Everything below is that document.
You are not being asked to sign anything. Reading these conditions commits you to nothing at all. Many people read them simply to understand what Ahmadi Muslims have pledged. If you would like to talk to someone about them, our door is open — get in touch.
The Text
The Ten Conditions of Bai'at
by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian The Promised Messiah and Mahdi (peace be upon him)
Condition 1. That he/she shall abstain from Shirk (association of any partner with God) right up to the day of his/her death.
Condition 2. That he/she shall keep away from falsehood, fornication, adultery, trespasses of the eye, debauchery, dissipation, cruelty, dishonesty, mischief and rebellion; and will not permit himself/herself to be carried away by passions, however strong they might be.
Condition 3. That he/she shall regularly offer the five daily prayers in accordance with the commandments of God and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him); and shall try his/her best to be regular in offering the Tahajud (pre-dawn supererogatory prayers) and invoking Darood (blessings) on the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him); that he/she shall make it his/her daily routine to ask forgiveness for his/her sins, to remember the bounties of God and to praise and glorify Him.
Condition 4. That under the impulse of any passions, he/she shall cause no harm whatsoever to the creatures of Allah in general, and Muslims in particular, neither by his/her tongue nor by his/her hands nor by any other means.
Condition 5. That he/she shall remain faithful to God in all circumstances of life, in sorrow and happiness, adversity and prosperity, in felicity and trial; and shall in all conditions remain resigned to the decree of Allah and keep himself/herself ready to face all kinds of indignities and sufferings in His way and shall never turn away from it at the onslaught of any misfortune; on the contrary, he/she shall march forward.
Condition 6. That he/she shall refrain from following un-islamic customs and lustful inclinations, and shall completely submit himself/herself to the authority of the Holy Quran; and shall make the Word of God and the Sayings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) the guiding principle in every walk of his/her life.
Condition 7. That he/she shall entirely give up pride and vanity and shall pass all his/her life in humbleness, cheerfulness, forbearance and meekness.
Condition 8. That he/she shall hold faith, the honor of faith, and the cause of Islam dearer to him/her than his/her life, wealth, honor, children and all other dear ones.
Condition 9. That he/she shall keep himself/herself occupied in the service of God’s creatures for His sake only; and shall endeavor to benefit mankind to the best of his/her God-given abilities and powers.
Condition 10. That he/she shall enter into a bond of brotherhood with this humble servant of God, pledging obedience to me in everything good, for the sake of Allah, and remain faithful to it till the day of his/her death; that he/she shall exert such a high devotion in the observance of this bond as is not to be found in any other worldly relationship and connections demanding devoted dutifulness.
(Translated from Ishtehar Takmeel-e-Tabligh, January 12, 1889)
Common Questions About Bai'at
What are the Ten Conditions of Bai'at?
The Ten Conditions of Bai'at are the ten pledges taken by anyone joining the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. They were declared by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (as) on 12 January 1889 in an announcement titled Ishtehar Takmeel-e-Tabligh. They cover belief in the Oneness of God, moral conduct, regular prayer, service to humanity, and loyalty to the Promised Messiah.
What does Bai'at mean?
Bai'at is an Arabic word meaning a pledge of allegiance or initiation. In Islam it refers to a covenant made willingly between a believer and a spiritual guide. It is a personal commitment to a way of living, not a membership form or a contract.
When were the Ten Conditions of Bai'at written?
They were published on 12 January 1889 in the announcement Ishtehar Takmeel-e-Tabligh, written in Urdu by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (as). This marked the formal beginning of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Can I read the Ten Conditions of Bai'at in Urdu?
Yes. The Urdu text is the original — the English is a translation of it. The complete Urdu version is available on this site with a language toggle, set in Noto Nastaliq Urdu, and can be downloaded as a PDF.
Is there a PDF of the Ten Conditions of Bai'at?
Yes. Free PDFs of both the English and the Urdu text are available to download and print from this page. They are formatted for standard paper and are free to share.
Do I have to take Bai'at to visit or learn about the community?
No. Bai'at is entirely voluntary and nobody is asked to take it in order to visit a mosque, attend an event, or ask questions. Everyone is welcome at Bait-ul-Ehsan Mosque in Monroe, Washington regardless of faith or background.
What is the tenth condition of Bai'at?
The tenth condition is a pledge to enter into a bond of brotherhood with the Promised Messiah, obeying him in everything good for the sake of Allah, and to remain faithful to that bond until death — with a devotion exceeding any worldly relationship.
Who can take Bai'at?
Any adult who accepts the claims of the Promised Messiah and is willing to abide by these ten conditions sincerely. It is a personal decision made freely. If you would like to discuss it, you can contact the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Seattle directly.
Want to Talk About It?
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Seattle meets at Bait-ul-Ehsan Mosque in Monroe, WA. Whether you are considering Bai'at or simply curious about what Ahmadi Muslims believe, you are welcome to visit, call, or write.