It is narrated from some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about "the Imam of the muttaqin" (that is, the leader of the pious). He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He is the one who is pious and possesses excellent character."
Imam Ahmad bin Mani' recorded this report in his Musnad; however, its chain contains a narrator named Sa'id bin Abd al-Jabbar, who is weak according to the majority of hadith scholars.
Hadith Referenceالمطالب العالية بزوائد المسانيد الثمانية / كتاب البر والصلة / 2579
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده ضعيف
Hadith Takhrij«حکم الحدیث المطالب العالیہ محققاً تنسیق د. سعد بن ناصر بن عبد العزيز الشَّثري- مکتبہ شاملہ :إسناده ضعيف. » «انفرد به المصنف من هذا الطريق»