In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

[Muhammad (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) Is The Slave And Messenger of Allaah]

This statement affirms Muhammad’s [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] servitude to Allaah and his Messenger-ship. These two affairs [Muhammad’s servitude to Allaah and his Messenger-ship] prevents a person from Ghuluww [i.e. exaggeration or going beyond bounds] and Jafaa [i.e. falling short in fulfilling what is required]. The fact that Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] is a slave of Allaah necessitates that he is not to be worshipped; rather the Lord [Allaah] alone has the right to be worshipped. Therefore, this prevents a person from Ghuluww [i.e. exaggeration or going beyond bounds regarding the rightful status of Muhammad (sallal laahu-alayhi-wasallam)]. And the affirmation that Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] is the Messenger of Allaah prevents a person from Jafaa [i.e. prevents a person from failing to follow the Prophet as he is to be followed; prevents a person from failing to give the Prophet his due rights, status etc].

An Excerpt from Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed -lesson 2. By Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah]