Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 129

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Muhammad ibn Salam related to us: 'Abdah informed us, from 'Ubaydullah, from Sa'id ibn Abi Sa'id, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked: ‘Which people are noblest?’ He replied: ‘The noblest of them in Allah's sight are those most mindful of Him.’ They said: ‘That is not what we are asking you.’ He said: ‘The noblest of people is Yusuf, the Prophet of Allah, son of the Prophet of Allah, son of the close friend of Allah.’ They said: ‘That is not what we are asking you.’ He said: ‘Are you asking me about the roots of the Arabs?’ They said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘The best of you in the pre-Islamic period are the best of you in Islam, provided they gain understanding.’