Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm narrated to us; he heard al-Mu’tamir, from ‘Ubaydullāh, from Sa’īd ibn Abī Sa’īd al-Maqburī,
from Abū Hurayrah (may Allāh be content with him), who said: It was said to the Prophet -Who is the most noble among people?” He said: “The most noble of them are the most God“ :ﷺ fearing among them.” They said: “O Prophet of Allāh (ﷺ), we are not asking you about this.” He said: “Then the most noble of people is Yūsuf (Joseph), the Prophet of Allāh; son of the Prophet of Allāh (Ya’qūb); son of the Prophet of Allāh (Is-hāq); son of the Close Friend of Allāh (Ibrāhīm - peace be upon them all).” They said: “This is not what we are asking about.” He said: “Then you are asking me about the lineages of the Arabs?” They said: “Yes.” He said: “The best of you in the time of ignorance (Jāhiliyyah) are the best of you in Islām, if they gain understanding (of the religion).”
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، سَمِعَ الْمُعْتَمِرَ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ
قَالَ قِيلَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَنْ أَكْرَمُ النَّاسِ قَالَ " أَكْرَمُهُمْ أَتْقَاهُمْ ". قَالُوا يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ، لَيْسَ عَنْ هَذَا نَسْأَلُكَ. قَالَ " فَأَكْرَمُ النَّاسِ يُوسُفُ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ابْنُ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ابْنِ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ابْنِ خَلِيلِ اللَّهِ ". قَالُوا لَيْسَ عَنْ هَذَا نَسْأَلُكَ. قَالَ " فَعَنْ مَعَادِنِ الْعَرَبِ تَسْأَلُونِي ". قَالُوا نَعَمْ. قَالَ " فَخِيَارُكُمْ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ خِيَارُكُمْ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ إِذَا فَقِهُوا "
Reference: Sahih Al Bukhari 3374