To what extent is it permissible for one person to say to another, "You are my master (mawlāy)," taking into account that the apparent meaning of the texts of the Noble Qur’an indicates that there is no master (mawlā) except Allah, and that Umar ibn al-Khattab said to Ali ibn Abi Talib, "Congratulations to you! You have become, morning and evening, the master (mawlā) of every believer"?

The word "mawla" (مولى) in language and Islamic law is applied to several meanings, such as "Lord, Owner, Master, and Helper." These meanings have been mentioned in the Quran, the Sunnah, and the sayings of the early Muslims (Salaf). Therefore, it is permissible for a person to say to his brother or cousin, "You are my mawla," but it is not permissible to apply it to a creature in the sense of "Lord."