The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ هَمَّامِ بْنِ مُنَبِّهٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يُحَدِّثُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ
" لاَ يَقُلْ أَحَدُكُمْ أَطْعِمْ رَبَّكَ، وَضِّئْ رَبَّكَ، اسْقِ رَبَّكَ. وَلْيَقُلْ سَيِّدِي مَوْلاَىَ. وَلاَ يَقُلْ أَحَدُكُمْ عَبْدِي أَمَتِي. وَلْيَقُلْ فَتَاىَ وَفَتَاتِي وَغُلاَمِي ".
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "You should not say, 'Feed your lord (Rabbaka), help your lord in performing
ablution, or give water to your lord, but should say, 'my master (e.g. Feed your master instead of lord
etc.) (Saiyidi), or my guardian (Maulai), and one should not say, my slave (Abdi), or my girl-slave
(Amati), but should say, my lad (Fatai), my lass (Fatati), and 'my boy (Ghulami).
Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:
Context
This hadith conveys the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) guidance on respectful communication. He advised against using terms that may imply servitude, such as 'my lord' or 'my slave,' and instead encouraged using more respectful terms like 'my master' or 'my lad.' This teaching highlights the importance of dignity in interpersonal relationships.
Modern Application
In modern interactions, using respectful language fosters positive relationships and mutual respect. It encourages individuals to treat others with dignity, regardless of their social status.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Respectful Communication because it emphasizes the importance of using appropriate and respectful language in interactions.
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.
[The Prophet] has said, "My Lord, judge [between us] in truth. And our Lord is the Most Merciful, the one whose help is sought against that which you describe."
Say, [O Muhammad], "My Lord has ordered justice and that you maintain yourselves [in worship of Him] at every place [or time] of prostration, and invoke Him, sincere to Him in religion." Just as He originated you, you will return [to life] -
Say, "Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] - He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers."
It is not for a human [prophet] that Allah should give him the Scripture and authority and prophethood and then he would say to the people, "Be servants to me rather than Allah," but [instead, he would say], "Be pious scholars of the Lord because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied."
