BENEFIT 291: Referring to a Kāfir, munāfiq, or fāsiq as 'Sayyid' (master)

Sheikh ibn Bāz raḥimahullāh said: "Yes, a disbeliever or an immoral person is not to be be called "Sayyid" because it is reported from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: "Do not call a sinner 'Sayyid,'" (*) and the Prophet ﷺ prohibited this. Therefore, a believer is not to call a disbeliever or a sinner "Sayyid," as this is a term of high status and honour, like "chief," "leader," or "Faqeeh/scholar." A disbeliever in Allah or someone known for open sins should not be addressed as "Sayyid." Instead, they should be addressed by their known name, such as "So-and-so" or "the father of so-and-so," as the Prophet ﷺ did when he said about Abdullah ibn Ubayy: "What happened to Abu al-Habāb?" It is fine to address them by their title or name, or to refer to them as "so-and-so" or "the one called so-and-so." However, it is not permissible to call them "Sayyid" or any title of greater honor, because they are either disbelievers or openly sinful. There is no power or strength except through Allah. Yes. Source: https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/6900/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%AF __ (*) غن بُرَيْدَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ: ‏((لاَ تَقُولُوا لِلْمُنَافِقِ سَيِّدٌ فَإِنَّهُ إِنْ يَكُ سَيِّدًا فَقَدْ أَسْخَطْتُمْ رَبَّكُمْ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ)).‏ Narrated Buraydah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Do not call a hypocrite sayyid (master), for if he is a sayyid, you will displease your Lord, Most High." [Sunan Abi Dawud, 4977 | Sahih (Al-Albani)]