Is Muhammad (peace be upon him) the master of the angels and the inhabitants of the heavens? And is doubting this, or believing the opposite due to ignorance, considered shirk or kufr that expels one from the faith? If so, should a person perform ghusl and utter the two declarations of faith?

The issue of preferring Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, over the angels is not one of the fundamental principles (usool) concerning which one becomes an apostate for disagreeing. However, the correct view, as indicated by the statements of the early Muslims (Salaf), is that Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is superior to all creation, including the angels. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah narrated the opinions of various groups on this matter and quoted Abdullah ibn Salam as saying: "Allah has not created any creature more honored by Him than Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him," emphasizing that Jibreel and Mika'eel are created beings subservient (to Allah) like the sun and the moon. It is also narrated from Zayd ibn Aslam that the angels asked their Lord to grant them the Hereafter, and Allah replied: "By My might, I will not make the righteous offspring of those I created with My own hands like those to whom I said, 'Be,' and they were."

Ibn Kathir also mentioned that this issue is a matter of ijtihad (independent reasoning), not ijma' (consensus). He recounted a disagreement that occurred in the council of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, where some held that humans are the best of creation, citing Allah's saying: "Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – those are the best of creation" (Quran 98:7). Others, however, believed that angels are more honored by Allah, arguing that angels are servants and messengers of Allah. Everyone agreed on the honor of Adam and his descendants in the sight of Allah Almighty, and that disagreeing on this matter does not constitute disbelief.