Dar received Fatwa Al-Masryah asked the questioner: What is the ruling on saying “our master” about Imam Hussein? One of them denied me saying: “Our master Al-Hussein,” citing that the word sovereignty is not permissible to use in this way, citing the hadith: “The master is only God.” We hope to explain the meaning of this hadith.
The Fatwa answered the question by saying: Applying the word sovereignty by saying: “Our Master Hussein” to our Master Imam Hussein, peace be upon him – and also to all the honorable people of the House – is a legitimate matter. Because it involves good manners, and putting people in their positions, and it does not violate the glorification of the Truth, Glory be to Him, and it does not demean those other than them from creation, as some of them have imagined, and this has been proven with evidence from the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the actions of the Companions, and the scholars’ statements regarding this have been repeated.
As for the aforementioned hadith: “The Lord God,” what is meant by it is that the Almighty alone is the King in reality, and that all of His creation are His servants. No one has the right to exalt or arrogantly claim that he is a master, other than whether that is an introduction or an honor. As in saying: “Our master Al-Hussein” or “Our masters, Ahl al-Bayt.”
Introducing our master Al-Hussein, may God be pleased with him
Our Master Al-Hussein is: Abu Abdullah Al-Hussein bin Ali bin Abi Talib bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim bin Abdul Manaf, the grandson of the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family, and his rayon from this world (he was born in the year 3 AH / 626 AD, and was martyred in the year 61 AH / 680 AD).
On the authority of Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, may God be pleased with him, he said: I entered upon the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family, and Al-Hasan and Al-Hussein, may God be pleased with them, playing in front of him and in his lap, and I said: O Messenger of God, do you love them? He said: “How could I not love them when they are my fragrances from this world and I can smell them?” Narrated by Al-Tabarani in “Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabir”, and Al-Bukhari in “Al-Sahih” in commentary.
The ruling on using the term “sovereignty” against created beings
The word “sovereignty” when applied to created beings: It can either be applied to the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family, or it may be applied to other created beings. If the one used is the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family, then that is permissible according to the consensus of Muslims, both predecessors and successors.
On the authority of Abu Hurairah, may God be pleased with him, that the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family, said about himself: “I am the master of the descendants of Adam.” Narrated by Muslim.
In a narration: “I am the master of people,” agreed upon.
God Almighty has commanded us to revere and venerate him, saying: “That you may believe in God and His Messenger, and honor him, revere him, and glorify him morning and evening.” [الفتح: 9].
Qatada said: “God commanded that it be blackened and made thick.” See: “Jami’ al-Bayan” by al-Tabari (21/251, ed. Dar Hijr).
As for assigning sovereignty to anyone other than the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family, among the creatures, it is also a legitimate matter according to the text of the Qur’an and Sunnah and the action of the nation as a successor to a predecessor without any objection:
Evidence from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the actions of the Companions
God Almighty said about our master Yahya, peace be upon him: “Then the angels called to him while he was standing and praying in the sanctuary. Indeed, God gives you good news of Yahya, confirming a word from God, and he is master and exclusive. And a prophet from among the righteous. [آل عمران: 39].
Imam Al-Qurtubi said in “Al-Jami’ Li Ahkam Al-Qur’an” (4/77, ed. Dar Al-Kutub Al-Misriyah): [ففيه دلالة على جواز تسمية الإنسان سيدًا، كما يجوز أن يُسمَّى عزيزًا أو كريمًا] Oh.
As for the Sunnah: His saying, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family, on the authority of Saad bin Muadh, may God be pleased with him – addressing the honorable companions -: “Go to your master,” agreed upon.
As for the nation’s action: it includes the words of Omar, may God be pleased with him, about Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and Bilal, may God Almighty be pleased with them: “Abu Bakr is our master and free our master.” Narrated by al-Bukhari.
It was mentioned in the Saqifah hadith that the most senior companions, may God be pleased with them, gathered in the Saqifah of Bani Sa`idah to choose who would assume the succession of our master, the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family, and that our master Omar bin Al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him, said to our master Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him: “Rather, we pledge allegiance to you. Our master, our best, and our most beloved to the Messenger of God, may God bless him and his family and grant them peace.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari.
There are many sayings about this, and the Companions heard them without objection or opposition, so that was like a silent consensus among them regarding its legitimacy.
Imam Al-Nawawi says in “Al-Athkar” (p. 362): [ لا بأس بإطلاق فلان سيد، ويا سيدي، وشبه ذلك إذا كان المسوَّد فاضلًا خيِّرًا، إما بعلم، وإما بصلاح، وإما بغير ذلك] Oh.
