@pilgrim

Does the Qur'an not rather teach that Muslims are to take 'Allah ALONE' (Sura 73:9 - "there is no God save Him; so choose thou Him alone for thy defender"? The word "defender" ('Wali' - Hilali-Khan) is also rendered as "protector", "guardian", or "helper" by several other translators (e.g., Sura 2:107 - Pickthall, Yusuf Ali, Sher Ali, Sale, etc).

However, when we turn to the Sahih hadiths, we find indeed that Muhammad was regarded on the same platform with Allah - which is nothing short of his acting as an "associate", or "partner".

Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 4, Book 56, Num. 715:
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The tribes of Quraish,
Al-Ansar, Juhaina, Muzaina, Aslam, Ghifar and Ashja' are
my helpers, and they have no protector (i.e. Master)
except Allah and His Apostle."



For now, I just wanted to leave you a small quote to show that within the Hadiths ("Sahih" - authentic and undeniable), Muhammad is referred together with 'Allah' as "protector" - that is, MASTER!




The Qur'an also refer to the Prophet as Wali along with the believers, now your ignorant Jest has no Place as the word Wali is renedered Protector, Ally, Friend, etc where did you get Master from, when one reads a sentence you must understand words in their context instead of Lying like theiving politician. nowhere is the Prophet seen as co equal to ALLAH, Unlike you people who believe that a Man that Used toilet and eat food etc can be said to be equal to God, we are too wise to believe such fallacies. Reading the Hadith you quoted, the Prophet Pbuh, meant they had no Protector/Helper/Ally except ALLAH and the Messenger, note the Prophet also reffered to them as his helpers. But this simple word has proven a great albatross for you.

Verily, your Wali (Protector or Helper) is Allah, His Messenger, and the believers, - those who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, and they bow down (submit themselves with obedience to Allah in prayer). S. 5:55