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الفتح الربانی
Fath al-Rabbani
كتاب الفضائلThe Book of Virtues
بَابُ فِيمَا وَرَدَ فِي فَضْلِ الْعَرْبِ مُطْلَقًاChapter regarding what has come about the virtue of the Arabs in general
Hadith 12533
اُردوEn
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ أَكْرَمُ النَّاسِ قَالَ ”أَتْقَاهُمْ“ قَالُوا لَيْسَ عَنْ هَذَا نَسْأَلُكَ قَالَ ”فَيُوسُفُ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ابْنُ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ابْنِ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ابْنِ خَلِيلِ اللَّهِ“ قَالُوا لَيْسَ عَنْ هَذَا نَسْأَلُكَ قَالَ ”فَعَنْ مَعَادِنِ الْعَرَبِ تَسْأَلُونَنِي خِيَارُهُمْ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ خِيَارُهُمْ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ إِذَا فَقُهُوا“
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: Who among the people is the most honorable? He replied: The one who fears Allah the most. The companions said: We did not ask about this. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Then the most honorable among the people is Allah’s Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him), whose father was also a prophet, whose grandfather was also a prophet, and whose great-grandfather was the Friend of Allah (Khalilullah). The companions said: Our question was not about this either. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Then are you asking about the mines of the Arabs (i.e., different people)? People are like mines; the best among them in the pre-Islamic era are the best in Islam as well, provided they gain understanding of the religion.
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … Just as mines differ from one another—some containing precious materials, others containing worthless things—similarly, people also differ in terms of character and deeds; that is, some are good while others are bad. Furthermore, those who were distinguished in the era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah) due to their nobility, virtue, and character, if they acquire understanding and insight in religion, then their former status and rank will be restored within the Muslim society as well. Also, from this hadith it is understood that the most honored person in the sight of Allah is the one who is filled with the fear of Allah and awe of Him. In addition, the superiority of Yusuf (alayhis salam) is evident, whose father Yaqub (alayhis salam), grandfather Ishaq (alayhis salam), and great-grandfather Ibrahim (alayhis salam) were all prophets of Allah.
According to the Islamic Shari‘ah, the criterion and basis for success and prosperity is piety (taqwa) and righteous deeds (amal salih), not ethnicity. Nevertheless, the Arabs are considered distinguished in the world for certain qualities, for example: courage and bravery, generosity and openhandedness, eloquence and rhetoric, hospitality, steadfastness in covenants and promises, and endurance of hardship.
According to the Islamic Shari‘ah, the criterion and basis for success and prosperity is piety (taqwa) and righteous deeds (amal salih), not ethnicity. Nevertheless, the Arabs are considered distinguished in the world for certain qualities, for example: courage and bravery, generosity and openhandedness, eloquence and rhetoric, hospitality, steadfastness in covenants and promises, and endurance of hardship.
