عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَي النَّاس أكْرم؟ فَقَالَ: «أَكْرَمُهُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاهُمْ» . قَالُوا: لَيْسَ عَنْ هَذَا نَسْأَلُكَ. قَالَ: «فَأَكْرَمُ النَّاسِ يُوسُفُ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ابْنُ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ابْنِ خَلِيلِ اللَّهِ» . قَالُوا: لَيْسَ عَن هَذَا نَسْأَلك. قَالَ: «فَمِمَّنْ مَعَادِنِ الْعَرَبِ تَسْأَلُونِي؟» قَالُوا: نَعَمْ. قَالَ: فَخِيَارُكُمْ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ خِيَارُكُمْ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ إِذَا فَقُهُوا . مُتَّفق عَلَيْهِ
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that it was asked from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): Who is the most honorable person among the people? He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The most honorable among them in the sight of Allah is the one who is most pious and God-fearing among them." The companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said: We are not asking you about this. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Then the most honorable person is Yusuf (peace be upon him), the Prophet of Allah, son of the Prophet of Allah, grandson of the Prophet of Allah, great-grandson of the Friend of Allah (Ibrahim, peace be upon him)." The companions said: We are not asking you about this. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Are you asking me about the Arab tribes?" They said: Yes! He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Those among you who were best in the days of ignorance are the best among you in Islam, provided they gain understanding (of the etiquette of Shariah)." Agreed upon.