Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: When the people asked you about "the most honorable of people" (akram al-nas), you thought that they were asking about those qualities and characteristics through which a person attains honor and nobility. Therefore, you replied: "The one who is most observant of Allah’s limits." When they said, "This is not what we are asking," you understood that, along with these qualities, they also desired a mention of familial nobility. So you mentioned the name of Yusuf (alayhis salam), because along with these qualities, he possessed the honor of prophethood, was a member of a prophetic family, was an expert in dream interpretation, possessed worldly leadership and authority, and, with the highest character and conduct, was a protector, overseer, sympathizer, and well-wisher of his subjects.

When they said, "This is also not what we are asking," then you said, "You are asking about the Arab tribes," and you described the tribes as being like mines (kanen), because within them are found various minerals, each with its own value and status, just as the tribes possess different characteristics and habits. Therefore, you said: Those who were distinguished by noble character and good habits and held honor and status in the time of ignorance (jahiliyyah), if they acquire understanding and comprehension of the religion after accepting Islam, then they will also attain honor and status in Islam.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has mentioned this hadith here in a concise form; previously, this narration has already been presented in full detail.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Ahadith al-Anbiya, Hadith: 3374)
➋
In this hadith, the specification of Prophet Yusuf alayhis salam is due to two reasons:
Firstly, because of the rank of prophethood; secondly, from a genealogical perspective, prophethood continued through four generations, meaning his lineage is exalted and his character and conduct are also lofty.
If noble lineage is combined with good character, it is like gold adorned with jewels.
Heraclius also said:
The prophets alayhimus salam are always of noble lineage.
Wallahu al-musta‘an.

Hadith Commentary:
In the narration, the mention of Prophet Yaqub (alayhis salam) has occurred; this is the very reason for the relevance to the chapter.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
People asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) about the noble families of the Arabs—who among them is the most honorable family? This is because people used to affiliate themselves with these families and considered it a source of pride among themselves.

➋
These families are called “ma‘ādin” (ores/mines) because they possess various capacities and abilities, just as mines contain both precious and non-precious gems. Or, they are likened to mines because they are places of honor and nobility, just as mines contain different kinds of jewels.
(Fath al-Bari: 6/502)

➌
For further explanation of this hadith, see the commentary on Hadith 3358.

➍
In this hadith, the lineage of Prophet Yusuf (alayhis salam) is mentioned—that he is the son of Ya‘qub (alayhis salam). It is also explicitly stated that the son, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—all four—were prophets of Allah (ta‘ala), peace be upon them.

Hadith Commentary:
According to this hadith, the foundation of nobility is religiosity and understanding of the religion; without this, any claim to nobility is false, even if someone is a Sayyid.
Religious understanding (fiqh) is the foremost basis of nobility.
Mere knowledge is nothing until it is properly understood; this proper understanding is called fiqh (jurisprudence).
The so-called jurists (fuqaha) are not intended here—those who, without reason, have made far-fetched connections between earth and sky, as is evident from the books of jurisprudence, except whom Allah wills.
For details, refer to the book "Haqiqat al-Fiqh."

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In this hadith, the genealogical virtue of Prophet Yusuf (alayhis salam) is mentioned, which is exclusive to him. No other prophet shares this distinction with him. This is the relevance of this hadith to the aforementioned chapter title.

➋
By "Ma'din Arab" is meant the Arab tribes to whom people attribute themselves and take pride in. Due to the virtues and shortcomings of people, they have been likened to mines of gold and silver. Thus, it is explicitly stated in the narration that people are like mines of gold and silver.
(Musnad Ahmad: 2/539)
According to this hadith, the basis of familial nobility is piety and understanding in religion; without this, any claim to nobility is false, even if one is a Sayyid.
Religious understanding (fiqh) is the foremost foundation of nobility.
Mere knowledge is nothing until it is properly understood; this proper understanding is called fiqh.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
It is understood from this that in Islam, the foundation of nobility is piety and acquiring understanding of the religion, which has been referred to by the word "fiqh" (deep understanding of religion).
In another hadith it is stated:
مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ
Whomever Allah wishes good for, He grants him understanding (fiqh) in the religion.
In this regard, the living examples before the Ummah are the noble hadith scholars (muhaddithin), whom Allah, the Exalted, endowed with religious understanding (fiqh), such that today Islam is alive due to their noble efforts, and the biography of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) can be studied in full in the light of authentic hadith.
May Allah, the Exalted, grant all the noble hadith scholars (muhaddithin) and great jurists (mujtahidin) thousands upon thousands of rewards on behalf of the Ummah, and on the Day of Resurrection gather them all in the highest Paradise (Firdaws al-A‘la), and may He grant this humble, insignificant, sinful, lowly servant and my well-wishers the companionship of His beloved Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and all the special elders in the field of resurrection. Ameen.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In this hadith, with regard to familial nobility, Yusuf (alayhis salam) is considered among the most respected people, as he is a link in the chain of prophethood—that is, there are four consecutive prophets in his lineage. Allah, the Exalted, honored him with both worldly authority and prophethood.

➋
According to this hadith, in Islam, the foundation of nobility is piety and understanding of the religion, which is expressed in the hadith by the word "fiqh" (deep understanding of religion). In another hadith it is stated:
"Whomever Allah intends good for, He grants him understanding in the religion." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Knowledge, Hadith: 71)
A living example of this is the group of noble hadith scholars (muhaddithin), whom Allah, the Exalted, endowed with insight and understanding in the religion.
Due to their noble efforts, Islam is alive today, and the blessed life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) can be studied in full in the light of authentic hadith.
May Allah, the Exalted, gather all of us under the banner of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) on the Day of Judgment and raise us among the group of hadith scholars.
Amin.