Yā Muḥammad (Arabic: يا محمد), like Yā ‘Alī (Arabic: يا علي), Yā Hussain (Arabic: يا حسين), Yā Fātimah (Arabic: يا فاطمة), are expressions used by the followers of Islam, which means "Oh Muhammad".
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The phrase means "O [name]". Literally, the word Yā means O (as in a call to someone). It is a common prefix used by Arabs to call each other. Someone named Zaid will be addressed in Arabic as Yā Zaid.
The word Yā alone is of no religious significance. It is used as well with derogatory and abusive words in Arabic, for example in Yā kadhdhāb (یا کذاب) "O Liar".
Ya Ali is mostly used as a request for strength in the phrase Ya Ali Madad (یا علی مدد, Ali, help!) because he is and was one of the strongest bravest chivlarous warrior that fought with the prophet, and he is also Imam in Shia Islam, and he is the Final Caliph in Sunni Islam.
Other phrases are mostly used as slogans which are meant to increase one's level of morale in certain situations and also increase the religious passion. These phrases are mostly used in religious gatherings.
During the Remembrance of Muharram, spontaneous slogans of Ya Hussain, Ya ‘Ali and Ya Rasulul-Lah "Messenger of God!" are very common. On such occasions, the slogans are mostly demonstrations of strong support.
Muslims visiting the grave of Muhammad recite As-salatu as-salamu alayka, Ya Rasulul-Lah "Greetings and peace be upon you, O Messenger of God". Some Muslims use similar kinds of greetings while visiting graves and shrines of other holy personalities.
In Saudi Arabia, Yā Muḥammad is used to address a stranger in order to begin a conversation. It is considered one of the polite and respectful ways to address a stranger, as Muhammad is considered as the most respectful name anyone can be called, hence its popularity among Muslims worldwide.
The statement ‘Yā Muḥammad’ is consists of two grammatical components. The first is the word ‘Ya’ which is known as ‘Harf-e-Nidaa’ (vocative particle). The second is the word Muhammad which will be considered as the ‘Munaada’ (the person being called). Arabic grammarians state that ‘Ya’ is a particle which comes in place of the word ‘Unaadi’ which means ‘I am calling’. Thus, the sentence ‘Ya Muhammad’ would be translated as ‘I am calling you, Oh Prophet of Allah.’ It can be translated ‘Oh Muhammad’.
‘Ya’ is one of the eight different vocative particles of the Arabic language. Some of these particles are used solely for the purpose of calling unto someone who is far away whilst other particles are solely used for the purpose of calling those who are close by. However the particle ‘Yaa’ can be used for both far and close. Hence grammatically it would be correct to say ‘Ya Muhammad’ when Muhammad is called upon whether close by or far away from the person calling unto him. As related in Sunan Ibn Majah Muhammad said; ‘and the Prophet of Allah is alive and provided for.’
Many people fear that when turning to Muhammad they might associate partners with God or elevate Muhammad to a divine level. However throughout Islamic history there has never been any evidence of this. If associating partners with God would occur in any instance it would occur in the prayer itself and in the prayer and during the daily canonical prayer in At-Tashahhud Muhammad taught Muslims recite ‘As-Salāmu `Alayka 'Ayyuhā An-Nabīyu Wa Raĥmatu Allāhi Wa Barakātuhu,’ translated ‘peace be upon you Oh Prophet at the mercy of Allah and his blessings.’
Those who support using Yā derive their support from the articles of faith, "There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God". As this cannot be changed, they claim that Muhammad is still alive because Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, not was. There are also some arguments from the Qur'an, such as the Qur'anic verse that states "Do not consider those who die on the path for Islam to be dead." (2:154) In addition, a plaque on the Prophet's grave to this day reads "As-salāmu ‘alayka, Yā Rasūlu l-Lāh’" translated "Peace be upon you, O Prophet of God", highlighting that the Salafis, who run the mosque, themselves should agree with the practice.
This practice is regarded as wrong by some Muslims, arguing that the word "YA" has special context and the only good phrase involving "ya" is ya-Allah, as no one needs an intermediary to speak to God. There are some sects and groups who consider this to be an innovation and idolatry, because only God alone can help and no one else. They derive their support from one of the shortest and comprehensive surah in the Qur'an, Surah Fatiha (translation : "To you we bow and to you we ask of help").[Quran 1:5]
The Islamic revival movements in the late colonial period developed puritan thoughts in islamic theology. Groups which condemn the phrase ya to anyone than God are today known as Wahhabis, including offshoots such as Salafis and Deobandis