Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: "Who are the most honorable among the people?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "The one who fears Allah the most." The companions said: "We did not ask about this." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then the most honorable among the people is Allah's Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him), whose father was also a prophet, whose grandfather was also a prophet, and whose great-grandfather was Khalilullah (the friend of Allah)." The companions said: "Our question is not about this either." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then are you asking about the various classes (i.e., different people) of the Arabs? People are like mines; the best of them in the pre-Islamic period are the best of them in Islam, provided they gain understanding of the religion."