Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 37001 — The words of the Prophet Musa

Hisham bin Urwah narrated from his respected father that Musa (peace be upon him) said to Allah, the Blessed and Exalted: O my Lord, tell me which of Your creation is the most honoured in Your sight? Allah, Exalted is His Majesty, said: (In My sight the most deserving of respect is) the one who advances towards My commands (eagerly and with delight, to fulfil them) just as a vulture swoops upon its food (with great desire and delight). And the one (who is also the most honoured in My sight) who is as devoted to My righteous servants as a small child is fond of people. And the one (who is also the most honoured in My sight) who becomes angry when My commands are violated, just as a leopard becomes angry in its own defence. And when a leopard is angry, it does not care whether its opponents are many or few.