The Prohibition against Addressing an Iniquitous Person or Innovator as “Master”

820. Burayda, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not call the hypocrite “master.” Even if he is a master, you will anger your Lord, the Mighty and Majestic.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Adab, 83).
Annotation: This hadith reminds believers of keeping up their dignity before people evidently known to be hypocrites. Abasing oneself before hypocrites will be displeasing to Allah Almighty and might incur His wrath.

 

Nawawi, Imam. Riyad As-Salihin; The Gardens of the Righteous: A collection of authentic hadiths. Tughra Books Press, Inc. 2014