Adding titles of respect like Sayyiduna in Dua, etc.

Q: regarding the word Sayyiduna. i understand this is a title of respect, but should we not stick to the original wordings of the Ahadith when making duaa etc. for example someone may add Sayyiduna, then Moulana. Someone will add Jalle Jalalahu when reading durood after the name of Allah. So someone else will add and add and the original will be distorted. The addition of such words implies that the original wordings are not respectful enough?

A: Adding titles before the names of honoured personalities is based on 'Urf (accepted practices among people of a certain place or age) . In the 'urf of the Sahaabah, addressing people by their first names was not regarded disrespectful. However, in our urf, addressing saintly personalities or Ulama of deen by their first names is not regarded among people as in keeping with respect. Hence both are permissible, with or without reciting the word "sayyiduna"  in the Durood.

وندب السيادة لأن زيادة الإخبار بالواقع عين سلوك الأدب فهو أفضل من تركه ذكره الرملي الشافعي وغيره

قال في رد المحتار قوله ( ذكره الرملي الشافعي ) أي في شرحه على منهاج النووي

ونصه والأفضل الإتيان بلفظ السيادة كما قاله ابن ظهيرية وصرح به جمع وبه أفتى الشارح لأن فيه الإتيان بما أمرنا به وزيادة الإخبار بالواقع الذي هو أدب فهو أفضل من تركه وإن تردد في أفضليته الإسنوي. (رد المحتار 1/513)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)