The pledge of allegiance to the caliph Abu Bakr to be the first caliphate in Islam state was the first pledge of allegiance in the history of Islam after the era of the prophet — peace be upon him. It is known as “the Saqifah” pledge of allegiance, and it was not written.
After that, the pledges of allegiance to the rest of the caliphs were also unwritten, with the circumstances of each pledge being different. The pledge of allegiance to the caliph Omar came with a covenant from the caliph Abu Bakr after special consultation with the companions. The pledge of allegiance to the caliph Othman came through consultation among six of the companions, in accordance with Omar’s will to do so.
In the ancient Kingdom of Morocco, the pledge of allegiance is a symbol of the political system in Morocco emanating from Islamic origins and based on a complex between the two parties: the sultan and the peoples. The selection of the sultan is carried out by a minority represented by the people and representatives of the groups mentioned in the pledge of allegiance.
The people of Morocco follow the rule of legal allegiance in ownership of their kings. Following the example of what the honourable companions did the day after the death of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and their choice of Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, as his first successor.
Adopting this rule has become an inviolable tradition for them, and they have not deviated from it since they pledged allegiance to Imam Idris bin Abdullah, the first king of the Idrisid state in Morocco. After him, a successive delegation of imams pledged allegiance to the Commander of the Faithful, Muhammad VI, and they have established traditions in this regard.
Characteristics of Morocco pledge of allegiance
What distinguishes the pledge of allegiance in Morocco is that it is carried out through the representatives of the peoples, scholars, nobles, and notables’ people. Whereas the scholars have the highest say in it, as they are the bearers of the Sharia law, knowledgeable of its secrets, and responsible before Allah more than others for advising Muslims and guiding them to what is beneficial and right and to prevent them from every deviation from the straight path of religion.
It is worth noting that the Great Pledge of Allegiance held by the Scientific and Treasury Authority is written by the most brilliant writers, and the most skilled calligraphers are invited to write it, so its contents and lines are as if they were a piece of art that shines in fine literature and the art of superior calligraphy.
The Kingship in Morocco, even if it is transferred from father to son by virtue of the well-known Muslim covenant, must be written in order to revive the Sunnah of the predecessors. It is a custom followed by the predecessors of the nation of Morocco with a strong passion for adherence to traditions and customs.
Morocco pledge of allegiance ceremony keeps pace with the requirements of every era
The Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Al-Tawfiq, said, “Morocco is characterized by an internal genius that keeps pace with all the requirements of every era,” pointing out that it “is manifested in the process of receiving the pledge of allegiance from the notables to the electorates.”
The minister explained that the legitimacy of governance in Morocco is based on contracts, based on preserving the five faculties, which are: “preserving religion, security of souls and conditions, public order, money, and dignity,” highlighting that the commander of the Faithful is “the only true legal feature, in its form and content, of governance in Islam.”
The minister said, “The Islamic State was founded by the Messenger of Allah, who was sent as a mercy to the worlds, on the basis of the pledge of allegiance, that is, the contract that was between him and the first Muslims that obeyed him and that he would preserve their customs and interests.”
The aim and symbolism behind this is to highlight the strong spiritual relationship and religious bond that makes the King of Morocco one who combines religious and worldly authority that is based on loyalty and legal allegiance striving to make the king of the country a commander of the believers and a protector of the homeland.
Religion is obligatory for every Muslim who falls under its banner, in compliance with the words of the Lord of the Worlds, “O you who have believed, obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” And the Messenger, peace be upon him, said, “Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah, and whoever obeys the ruler I appoint, obeys me, and whoever disobeys him, disobeys me.”
This religious basis, and the Islamic consideration of the relationship and bond between the commander of the faithful and his citizens, made the Moroccan people increasingly attached and loved the glorious Alawite throne over the course of times and generations.
The story of Throne Day in Morocco
On July the 30th of each year, Morocco celebrates Throne Day, a loyalty ceremony that has a great status and many national meanings. It was done for the first time as an expression by Moroccans of their clinging to the glorious Alawite throne and their standing with His Majesty the late Mohammed V at the time in the face of French colonialism.
The story of Throne Day goes back to the year 1933 during the French occupation of Morocco. The first occasion of Throne Day was not just a celebration of the inauguration of a king, but rather the Moroccans wanted it to be a national occasion and an opportunity to show the people’s rally around the glorious Alawite throne.
Since 1934, the celebration has taken an official and institutional character. Throne Day, which the Moroccan people imposed under French protection as a national holiday, became a holiday of patriots’ challenge to French colonialism, which failed in its attempt to isolate the sultan from his people.
The loyalty and allegiance ceremony is an official ceremony in the Kingdom of Morocco, held every year on July the 30th, and sometimes on other dates, to renew allegiance and allegiance to the Moroccan king. This is the largest civil national holiday in Morocco. This traditional ceremony was held on March the 3rd during the reign of Hassan II, and was first inaugurated in 1934 by Moroccan nationalists who wanted to challenge the French authorities that ruled Morocco.
The loyalty and allegiance ceremony is held in a place called Al-Mashwar, near the Royal Palace. The location of the celebration ceremony may vary from year to year, as it is usually held in Rabat, Fez, Tangier, Tetouan, Marrakesh, or Casablanca.
It is customary for the royal protocol for this anniversary to choose a carnival dimension, which is evident in the presence of those elected from the regions of the Kingdom and representatives of the Moroccan people to the courtyard of one of the royal palaces. They present the duties of obedience and loyalty, renew the pledge to the throne, and emphasise adherence to it.
The pledge of allegiance and its rituals are considered as a renewal by Moroccans of the pledge of allegiance they have towards the king as a comprehensive political and religious contract, and it is an integrated political, social, spiritual, religious, divine, and heavenly contract.