Blessings of Khilafat — Page 107
107 The hadith goes as thus: Hadrat Abu Hurairah ra relates that once the Holy Prophet sa was asked about who was the noblest among people. The Holy Prophet sa said, ‘He who fears Allah more than others, is nobler than others. ’ The companions of the Holy Prophet sa submitted, ‘O Prophet of Allah! Our question was not meant to ask about that. ’ The Holy Prophet sa said, ‘Then Joseph is the best since he himself was a Prophet; his father was a Prophet; and his grandfather was Khal i lull a h , the friend of Allah. ’ The companions of the Holy Prophet sa submitted again, ‘We did not mean to ask about that. ’ At this the Holy Prophet sa enquired if they were asking about different tribes and nations of Arabia. Well, in that case, he said, ‘Hearken that people are divided into different tribes. [Or he said that they were like mines. ] The same among them, who were considered to be noble during the pre-Islamic period, will be considered to be noble in Islam as well, provided they have solid knowledge of their religion. ’