Why is the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) called “master” if there is only one Lord?

Because “lord” or “master” is a general word that takes on a different meaning depending on whom it describes. Applied to God, it carries His divine attributes. Applied to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), it carries his noble character. There is no idolatry in this.

Some people are troubled when Muslims call the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) “our lord and master”. They ask whether this title does not belong to God alone. The concern is understandable, because Islam teaches very seriously that no one may be worshipped besides God.

Yet “lord” is a general word. In England there is the House of Lords, and no one thinks of gods when they hear it. We speak of the lord of a manor or the master of a house. Such words are applied to special people without making them divine. The Holy Qur’an also uses the word in this way, as the first verse above shows.

When a general word is applied to a particular person, it takes on the meaning of that person’s qualities. Applied to God, “Lord” means the Creator, Sustainer and Ruler of all the worlds, to whom alone worship is due. Applied to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), it means the person whose example we follow, whose character we love and whose guidance we accept.

Whoever calls him this expresses love and respect, not worship. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was and remained a servant of God. To call him “master” simply means that we want to learn from him how to serve God. There is no idolatry in this.