By Mufti Muhammad Ibn Adam

Q) Is it permissible to call the words Ya Rasul Allah?

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

To say the words “Ya Rasul Allah” (O Messenger of Allah) or to call for the blessed Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) in some other way is not something that is unlawful or innovation (bid’a) in itself.

If a person, upon hearing the blessed name of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), out of love and affection imagined the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and said Ya Rasul Allah or any other wording of Salutation (salat & salam), then this is totally permissible.

The wording of Salat and Salam in Tashahhud also has the meaning of calling the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), yet it is part of our Salat. The meaning of “Assalamu Alayka Ayyuhan Nabi” is peace and blessings be upon you O Prophet of Allah.

However, if by Saying theses words, one has the belief that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) is omnipresent in front of him in a way that Allah is, then this will be unlawful (haram) and considered to be Shirk.

The third situation is when one does not have this belief (aqidah), but regards that the only correct method of sending blessings on the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) is by saying theses words, or he regards those who do not say “Ya Rasul Allah” as not having true love for the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace), then this will be regarded as innovation (bid’a).

It should be kept in mind that this is a trivial issue. In the Islamic history, we can never find incidents where Muslims argued and had disputes on whether one can say Ya Rasul Allah or not. Unfortunately, today we are busy fighting and arguing regarding these trivial matters, yet the need for unity has never been more than before. May Allah guide us all to the straight path (Ameen).

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

 Article taken (with Thanks) from Darul-Ifta