It is reported on the authority of `Abdullah Ibn Ash-Shikhkheer  that he said: "I went with a delegation of Banu `Amir to the Messenger of Allah (saas ) and we said (to him): "You are our Sayyid."¹ He (saas ) replied:

"As-Sayyid is Allah (swt ), Most Glorified, Most High." We said: "And you are the most excellent and superior of us." He (saas ) answered: "Say what you have to say, or part of what you have to say and do not let Satan make you get carried away." (Narrated by Abu Dawood with a good Ssanad)

The narrator informs us in this Hadith that some of the Companions wished to show their love and respect for the Messenger of Allah (saas ) by praising him while in his presence; and though they spoke the truth about him, the Prophet (saas ) wished to cleanse their hearts and souls and protect their beliefs from Shirk and so he forbade them from praising him excessively, especially in his presence in order to protect them from all paths by which the devil might lead them to the darkness of Shirk after they had escaped from it. Then he (saas ) permitted them to praise him in a manner allowed by their Religion, befitting his position as Allah's Slave and Messenger.

1. The Prophet's great influence over the hearts and minds of the Companions.

2. The permissibility of referring to Allah as As-Sayyid (the Master).

3. That excess is an invitation to Satan.

That the Hadith forbids excessive praise of the Prophet (saas ) or anyone else because this is a path that leads to Shirk.

There is no contradiction between this Hadith and the Hadith which says: "I am the Sayyid of the sons of Adam," for this indicates the permissibility of referring to other than Allah (swt ) as Sayyid, while the former Hadith tells us that it is preferred not to do so.

..ooOOoo..

On the authority of Anas (ra ) it is reported that some people said: "Oh, Messenger of Allah (saas )! Oh, the best of us and the son of the best of us! Our Master and the son of our Master!" He (saas ) replied:

"Oh, you people! Say what you have to say and do not allow yourselves to be seduced by Satan. I am Muhammad, the slave of Allah (swt ) and His Messenger (saas ). I do not like you to raise me above the status assigned to me by Allah (swt ), Almighty All-powerful." (Narrated by An-Nasaa`i with a good Ssanad)

Anas (swt ) informs us in this Hadith that a number of people addressed the Prophet (saas ) in terms of excessive praise and eulogy and that the Prophet (saas ) rejected this, informing them that such was the temptation of the devil, that he might lead them by this means into Shirk. Then he informed them of the correct manner of addressing him which is to say: Muhammad, the slave and Messenger of Allah (saas ); and he indicated to them his dislike of being elevated above the position which Allah (swt ) has designated for him.

1. The high esteem in which the Companions held the Prophet (saas ).

2. The forbiddance of excessively praising someone and evidence that it is one of the works of Satan.

3. Evidence of the status of the Prophet (saas ) that he is a slave of Allah (swt ) and His Messenger (saas ).

4. The prohibition of raising the Prophet (saas ) above his designated status.

That the Hadith proves the forbiddance of elevating the Prophet above his assigned status because this constitutes excess and it leads to Shirk.

Footnotes

1. Sayyid: Master.