What is the ruling on the poet's saying, "Were it not for him, no civilizations would have risen, nor would any edifice have been built in the lands of the Arabs," and is it permissible to utter such words about the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace? Is it a condition, when attributing favor to other than Allah Almighty, that it be preceded by the mention of Allah Almighty, such as saying, "Allah saved us, then so-and-so"?

Muslims have agreed that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the best of God's creation and the master of the children of Adam. Allah Almighty has bestowed a great favor upon the Ummah by sending him. Despite this great virtue, the Prophet, peace be upon him, forbade excessive praise of him. The virtue mentioned by the poet is to be understood as the prophetic message being the cause of the great benefit to the Ummah, which the Prophet, peace be upon him, affirmed by saying to the Ansar: "Did I not find you astray, and Allah guided you through me...". Sacrificing oneself, one's children, and one's parents for the Prophet, peace be upon him, is permissible, as the Companions used to address him in this manner, and faith is not complete unless he is preferred over oneself. A Muslim's statement, "So-and-so saved me," is permissible, meaning that the person was a direct cause of the rescue, and this is a metaphorical expression, as the true doer is Allah Almighty.