Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was asked, "Who is the most honorable amongst the people?" He said, "The most righteous (i.e. Allah-fearing) amongst you." They said, "We do not ask you about this." He said, "Then Joseph, the prophet of Allah."
Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 3490
Hadith Text
Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was asked, "Who is the most honorable amongst the people?" He said, "The most righteous (i.e. Allah-fearing) amongst you." They said, "We do not ask you about this." He said, "Then Joseph, the prophet of Allah."
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's initial response establishes the fundamental Islamic principle that true honor lies not in lineage or worldly status, but in taqwa (God-consciousness). This aligns with Quran 49:13: "Indeed, the most noble of you before Allah is the most righteous of you."
When the questioners sought a specific individual, the Prophet named Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), highlighting his exceptional virtues: his unwavering faith during trials, his chastity when tempted, his administrative wisdom, and his forgiveness toward his brothers. This teaches us that while piety is the general criterion for honor, certain prophets possess unique merits that elevate their status.
The response demonstrates the Prophet's pedagogical wisdom - first establishing the universal principle, then providing a specific example when further clarification was requested.