In Arabic the word Maula has a wide range of meaning. It denotes ‘master’, ‘slave’, ’emancipated slave’, ‘helper’, ‘friend’ and ‘loved one’. In the holy Prophet’s pronouncement it has been used in the sense of a friend and a loved one, as is evident from the prayer that follows it.

The above saying of the Prophet conveys absolutely no endorsement of the Shi’i doctrinal claims regarding succession.