What is the ruling on using the term "Mawlay" (my master) for a deceased person who was a shaykh during his lifetime, without the intention of seeking his aid or assistance?

The term "Mawla" (مولى) is used for many meanings, such as a close relative, a friend, an ally, an emancipator, and an emancipated person. It is also used for anyone who assumes authority over another. Al-Nawawi clarified that "Sayyid" (سيد) is applied to someone who surpasses their people, and to a leader, a virtuous person, a forbearing person, a generous person, an owner, and a husband. It is disliked for servants to say to their owner: "My Lord," rather they should say: "My master and my Mawla." It is also disliked for the owner to say: "My male slave and my female slave," rather they should say: "My young man and my young woman," or "My boy." Scholars have stated that "Al-Rabb" (الرب) with the definite article (Al-) is not applied except to Allah the Almighty.

There is no harm in applying "Mawlay" (مولاي) to a Sheikh or a teacher, whether alive or deceased, in the sense that he is in charge of his students' affairs or is their close relative. There is also no harm in saying "Sayyiduna" (سيدنا - Our Master). There is no harm in addressing the deceased with that if the intention is to evoke their image or to greet them when visiting their grave, provided that it does not lead to exaggeration and undue veneration, as in the story of Abu Bakr with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the story of the blind man with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Not all calling is supplication; rather, it has many purposes such as expressing grief or addressing someone without intending to ask for anything.