Bayah

Oath of allegiance to a leader. Unwritten pact given on behalf of the subjects by leading members of the tribe with the understanding that, as long as the leader abides by certain responsibilities toward his subjects, they are to maintain their allegiance to him. Representatives usually include religious scholars and political leaders. Bayah is still practiced in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Morocco. Like other concepts of classical tribal Islam, bayah is experiencing change as traditional tribal communities transform themselves into modern administrative states.