Bai’at

On December 1st, 1888 Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahamad (AS) published an announcement that God had ordained him that whomsoever seeks true faith and piety, should take Baiat, which is a pledge of allegiance to him so that Allah may shower His mercy and beneficence on them.
On January 12th, 1889 he published a pamphlet in which he laid down ten conditions of Baiat for initiation into the Jamaat [i.e. congregation]. In this pamphlet he made it known that anyone who wishes to enter into this covenant of allegiance should swear to perform the following from the core of his heart:

1. That until the last day of his life, he shall abstain from shirk (associating any partners with Allah);
2. That he shall keep away from falsehood, cruelty, adultery, dishonesty, disorder, rebellion and every kind of evil;
3. That he shall offer prayers (Salat) five times daily;
4. That he shall not inflict injury on any of Allah’s creatures;
5. That he would bear every hardship for the sake of Allah;
6. That he shall not follow vulgar customs and guard against evil inclinations;
7. That he shall discard pride and haughtiness, and live in humility & meekness;
8. That he shall hold his faith, dignity, and the welfare of Islam dearer than his own life, wealth and children;
9. That he shall have sympathy for all of God’s creatures, and devote his talents to their welfare; and
10. That he shall establish brotherhood with me (i.e.Ahmad), obeying me in all good things, and firmly adhere to these rules until the last breath of his life.