Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 2781 — Intellect and its virtue

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited the opening verses of Surah al-Mulk, from 'Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion' [Surah al-Mulk: 1] up to this saying of Allah Almighty: 'that He may test you, which of you is best in deed' [Surah al-Mulk: 2], and (explaining the words 'best in deed') he said: "The best of you in deed is the one who is foremost in intellect and understanding, who most avoids (being scrupulous about) the things Allah Almighty has forbidden, and who is quickest in acts of obedience and submission to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic."
Imam al-Bayhaqi recorded this hadith in "Shu'ab al-Iman" (hadith: 2790). Its chain contains the narrator Abd al-Wahid bin Ziyad al-Basri, who is thiqah (trustworthy); however, some imams of narrator criticism have discussed whether this report is marfu' (attributed to the Prophet), and it has been accepted as a report of hasan (good) grade.