V1:72- Ruling on referring to the Prophet as "Our Master" (ﷺ)
- 4 years ago
72- Ruling on referring to the Prophet as "Our Master" (ﷺ)
Q: What is the ruling on referring to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Awliya * (pious people) as "our masters"? What is the ruling on using Allah's Names such as Al-Basir (All-Seer), Al-`Aziz (The All-Mighty) and others?
A: Referring to the Prophet (ﷺ) as "our master" is true for he is the master of the sons of Adam. It is authentically reported that he (ﷺ) said: I am the master of the sons of Adam with no boast.) He is actually the master of all Muslim servants, therefore, if a person speaks about him saying: "Peace be upon our Master Muhammad", this is acceptable. This is because he is truly the master of the sons of Adam (ﷺ), and he is the master of all creatures. Yet, he made this reprehensible for people while he was alive, for he feared that they would exceed the proper limits when they told him: "You are our Master", so he replied: Allah is the Master (may He be Blessed and Exalted). He did so in order to block all avenues leading to exceeding the proper limits in glorifying him. He was afraid that they would exaggerate in praising him (ﷺ). However, now after he (ﷺ) passed away, it is permissible to refer to him as "our master" (ﷺ) as he told us that he is the master of the sons of Adam. He is the best among us, our master and Imam (leader). He is the most beloved to Al-Rahman (The Most Compassionate). However, it is better not to call or refer to others as "masters". On the other hand, there is nothing wrong if it is said: So and so is the master of such and such family (i.e., their chief) like the Prophet (ﷺ) did when he said about his grandson Al-Hassan: {This son of mine is a master. He also said: "Who is the master of Banu (the sons of) so and so? Who is the master of Banu so and so?" Furthermore, he (ﷺ) told the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) when Sa`d ibn Mu`adh came to rule in Banu Qurayzhah: Stand up for your master.) This is permissible. However, if people stand up for someone calling him "Our master", this had better be left since the Messenger (ﷺ) said: The Master is Allah (may He b Blessed and Exalted).) Also, saying this to someone can lead them to arrogance and lead people to exceed the limits in praising them. Thus, it is better not to address anyone by saying "our master". We should also advise the one who does this not to refer to anyone as "master". Rather, it suffices saying "brother" or addressing them by their epithet. Yet, if this word is mentioned to denote a chief of some tribe or describe a member of the Prophet's family, a jurist, a scholar, or an honorable person, there is no harm in this. Again, if using this word with a person is feared to lead them to arrogance or boastfulness, this must be abandoned. Besides, this word should not be used while addressing a Kafir (disbeliever), a hypocrite, or a disobedient person. Rather, we use it in addressing an old man, a jurist, a scholar, a chief who is known of piety, uprightness or generosity. For in this case, it would be permissible to address them in this way. Otherwise, refraining from this is better. As previously mentioned, if a person uses this word to denote the chiefdom of a person to their tribe, such as to address a person by "The master of Banu Tamim" for instance; this is acceptable.
[Vol. 1, Page No. 189-190]
Q: What is the ruling on referring to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Awliya * (pious people) as "our masters"? What is the ruling on using Allah's Names such as Al-Basir (All-Seer), Al-`Aziz (The All-Mighty) and others?
A: Referring to the Prophet (ﷺ) as "our master" is true for he is the master of the sons of Adam. It is authentically reported that he (ﷺ) said: I am the master of the sons of Adam with no boast.) He is actually the master of all Muslim servants, therefore, if a person speaks about him saying: "Peace be upon our Master Muhammad", this is acceptable. This is because he is truly the master of the sons of Adam (ﷺ), and he is the master of all creatures. Yet, he made this reprehensible for people while he was alive, for he feared that they would exceed the proper limits when they told him: "You are our Master", so he replied: Allah is the Master (may He be Blessed and Exalted). He did so in order to block all avenues leading to exceeding the proper limits in glorifying him. He was afraid that they would exaggerate in praising him (ﷺ). However, now after he (ﷺ) passed away, it is permissible to refer to him as "our master" (ﷺ) as he told us that he is the master of the sons of Adam. He is the best among us, our master and Imam (leader). He is the most beloved to Al-Rahman (The Most Compassionate). However, it is better not to call or refer to others as "masters". On the other hand, there is nothing wrong if it is said: So and so is the master of such and such family (i.e., their chief) like the Prophet (ﷺ) did when he said about his grandson Al-Hassan: {This son of mine is a master. He also said: "Who is the master of Banu (the sons of) so and so? Who is the master of Banu so and so?" Furthermore, he (ﷺ) told the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) when Sa`d ibn Mu`adh came to rule in Banu Qurayzhah: Stand up for your master.) This is permissible. However, if people stand up for someone calling him "Our master", this had better be left since the Messenger (ﷺ) said: The Master is Allah (may He b Blessed and Exalted).) Also, saying this to someone can lead them to arrogance and lead people to exceed the limits in praising them. Thus, it is better not to address anyone by saying "our master". We should also advise the one who does this not to refer to anyone as "master". Rather, it suffices saying "brother" or addressing them by their epithet. Yet, if this word is mentioned to denote a chief of some tribe or describe a member of the Prophet's family, a jurist, a scholar, or an honorable person, there is no harm in this. Again, if using this word with a person is feared to lead them to arrogance or boastfulness, this must be abandoned. Besides, this word should not be used while addressing a Kafir (disbeliever), a hypocrite, or a disobedient person. Rather, we use it in addressing an old man, a jurist, a scholar, a chief who is known of piety, uprightness or generosity. For in this case, it would be permissible to address them in this way. Otherwise, refraining from this is better. As previously mentioned, if a person uses this word to denote the chiefdom of a person to their tribe, such as to address a person by "The master of Banu Tamim" for instance; this is acceptable.
[Vol. 1, Page No. 189-190]