BENEFIT: Is saying: يا محمد “O Muhammad” an act of Shirk?

If this call includes a clear request, such as saying: “O Muhammad, give me such and such,” or “do such and such for me,” or an indirect request, like when someone is carrying a heavy rock or something difficult and says: “O Muhammad,” as a way of seeking help. This is considered a form of asking for assistance. Both of these are considered shirk (associating partners with Allah), because calling upon other than Allah—whether they are dead or absent—is shirk by concensus. Allah the Most High says: {وَمَنْ يَدْعُ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهاً آخَرَ لا بُرْهَانَ لَهُ بِهِ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ إِنَّهُ لا يُفْلِحُ الْكَافِرُونَ} “And whoever calls upon another god along with Allah, for which he has no proof—his account is only with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed.” [Al-Mu’minun] But if one is simply recalling the image of the person being addressed, without actually asking them for anything, this is not considered shirk (associating partners with Allah), because it does not involve making a supplication to anyone other than Allah. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Saying ‘O Muhammad, O Messenger of Allah’ and similar expressions are forms of calling that are meant to bring the person to mind in the heart. The one being addressed is present in the heart, as when a person in prayer says: ‘Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.’ A person often does this, addressing someone he imagines in his mind even if there is no one physically present to hear the speech.” [Iqtida’ al-Sirat al-Mustaqim li Mukhalafat Ashab al-Jahim, 2/319] Source: https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/2381