‘Ubayd ibn Ismā’īl narrated to me; from Abū Usāmah; from ‘Ubaydullāh, who said: Sa’īd ibn Abī Sa’īd informed me,

from Abū Hurayrah (may Allāh be content with him): The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was asked, “Who is the most noble among people?” He said: “The most God-fearing of them before Allāh.” They said: “This is not what we are asking you.” He said: “Then the most noble of people is Yūsuf, 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 you.” He said: “Then you are asking me about the lineages of the Arabs. People are like mines (of different qualities). The best of them in the time of ignorance are the best of them in Islam, if they gain understanding (of the religion).”

Muḥammad ibn Salām narrated to me; ‘Abdah informed us; from ﷺ Ubaydullāh; from Sa’īd; from Abū Hurayrah (may Allāh be content with him); from the Prophet‘ with the same narration.