What is the ruling on saying "ya mu'allim" (O teacher), "ya mister" (O mister), or "ya sayyid" (O master) to a disbeliever or apostate, knowing that it is a common word of greeting and not intended for religious instruction? Is this considered an act of loyalty to disbelievers, and does its perpetrator become a disbeliever?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Addressing a disbeliever with the aforementioned wording does not fall under prohibited allegiance. As for addressing him with the word "Sayyid" (master/lord), some scholars have permitted it if it is not done out of veneration.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/122166
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 122166
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy