The best in the pre-Islamic period and the best in Islam

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was asked, “Who is the most honourable amongst the people?” He said, “The one who fears Allah the most”. They said, “We are not asking you about this”. He said, “Then the most honourable amongst the people is Yusuf, Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s Khaleel”. They said, “We are not asking you about this”. He said, “So you are asking me about the Arabs’ descent; the people are of different descents and those who were best in the pre-Islamic period are the best in Islam, if they acquire (sound) understanding of (religious knowledge)”.

Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon, said:

In this hadith, it is legislated for the one to whom something related to the religion is hidden that he asks, and the scholar is the one who is asked. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him, is the foremost teacher and the one who conveys the religion (ordained) by Allah. His companions used to ask him that which they wanted to understand in order to act upon it.This hadith is proof that the companions of the Prophet asked about matters related to their religion in order to acquire understanding of the religion. Knowledge- as it is said – is based on questions and answers. In this hadith there is proof (regarding) the virtue of Taqwah, as Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, said: [إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ– The most honourable of you in the sight of Allaah are those who fear Allaah the most]. Taqwa (fear of Allah) gathers every good because it is clearly manifested in the fulfilment of commands, keeping away from prohibitions, declaring lawful what is lawful and declaring unlawful what is unlawful – inwardly (in one’s heart) and apparent (on one’s actions), and adherence to the (Qur’an, the Sunnah, the Straight path etc).

In this hadith there is proof regarding the virtue of Yusuf, peace be upon him, and his fathers because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, mentioned them.

In this hadith there is proof regarding the humility of the Prophet because he made known to them the virtue of his brother- the noble Prophet – Yusuf.

In this hadith there is proof regarding the virtue of the Arabs if they possess understanding of the religion of Islam and learn the religion, for indeed the noble Qur’an was sent down in the language of the Arab, thus, if they acquire understanding of the religion, they will be able to convey it in Allah’s earth. This is what happened in this Ummah of Muhammad, for indeed when he was sent, he called the Arabs to Iman until a great Ummah was established who were able to perform Jihad and give Dawah in the path of Allah. So, they dispersed in the earth after acquiring understanding of their religion from Allah’s Messenger and spread it in the regions of the earth- propagating, teaching, performing Jihad and judging between the people, until Allah (gave Islam the upper hand) almost everywhere in the world through them, and this was a favour bestowed on them by Allah.

In this hadith there is proof regarding the virtue of Fiqh in the religion and that the one who acquires understanding of the religion – with a good intention- in order to remove ignorance from himself, act based on the understanding in the Islamic religion and spread it in the earth, he has a great reward and station in the sight of Allah. And Allah knows best.

The evidence (or testimony for the main subject matter in this hadith) is that the people are of different descents. The best of them during the Pre-Islamic era are the best in Islam if they possess (sound) understanding (in the religion). Therefore, whoever was from the good people during the Pre-Islamic era and acted that way amongst the people, then Allah blessed them to accept Islam and they acquire understanding, they’ll be the best people because they had a good basis which Islam increased in good and perfection. [1]

The Messenger said: Indeed, Allah has removed from you the pride of the pre-Islamic period and its boasting about ancestors. One is only a pious believer or a wretched sinner. You are sons of Adam and Adam (was created from) dust. Let the people abandon boasting about their ancestors, for they are merely fuel in Jahannam; or they will become more insignificant in (the sight of) Allah than the beetle which rolls dung with its nose. [2]

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Whoever is held back by his deeds, his lineage will not push him forward”. [3]

Imam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Its meaning is that the one whose deeds are deficient and he does not catch up with the performers of (good) deeds, it is obligated to him not to crown himself with nobility of lineage and the virtues of his forefathers, while he is lagging behind in (performing good) deeds”. [4]

[1] An Excerpt from at -Taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadith As-Saheehah. 1/34-35

[2] Sahih Abi Dawud 5116

[3] & [4] Saheeh Muslim…part of hadeeth in ‘The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness. Sharh Saheeh Muslim: Hadith Number 2699 17/18