The Meaning of “Nahnu ‘Ibad Muhammad” (“We Are the Slaves of Muhammad”)

Question

What is the kalima of the Rida-Khanis, and what is this expression: [ar]اللهُ رَبُّ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ، نَحْنُ عِبَادُ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ[/ar] (“Allah is the Lord of Muhammad ﷺ; we are the slaves of Muhammad ﷺ”)? Is it a kalima or a salawat? Does one who recites it become sinful or earn reward, and does one who recites it remain a believer or not?

Answer

This expression has not been seen in the noble hadith or in any book of fiqh. Those whose expression it is should be asked whether it is a kalima or a salawat. However, the words “nahnu ‘ibad Muhammad ﷺ” in it mean (na‘udhu billah) “we are the slaves of Muhammad ﷺ”. Whoever regards Hadrat Muhammad ﷺ as an object of worship (ma‘bud) is outside Islam.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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