What is the ruling on saying "Sayyid al-Akwan" (Master of the Universes) or "Sayyid al-Kawnayn" (Master of the Two Worlds) about the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him?

The Sharia has urged avoidance of expressions that suggest exaggeration (ghuluww) concerning the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and to suffice with the Sharia-approved expressions. The Prophet also forbade excessive praise and commanded the saying, "Allah's servant and His Messenger."

As for the expressions "Sayyid al-Kawnayn" (Master of the Two Worlds) or "Sayyid al-Akwan" (Master of the Universes), they are not found in the religious texts (Shari'a nusus) or the sayings of the early Muslims (Salaf). However, they have been used by some early and later scholars, whose intention was that he, peace be upon him, is the best of the inhabitants of this world and the hereafter, not the possessor or controller, basing their understanding on hadiths such as "I am the master of people on the Day of Resurrection" and "Go to the master of the children of Adam."

This expression has been used by Al-Waqidi, Al-Khuwayyi, Al-Asqalani, Al-Saffarini, Al-Alusi, Abu Al-Samh, Al-Hakamy, and others.

Therefore, one should not condemn someone who uses this expression in imitation of these scholars. And whoever confines himself to what is mentioned in the religious texts, that is also permissible for him, and the matter is broad.