The Noble Hadith about the Character of People:

It was asked of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Who are the most honorable people?” He said: “The most honorable are the most God-fearing.” They said: O Prophet of Allah, we do not ask you about this. He said: “The most honorable of people is Joseph, the Prophet of Allah, son of the Prophet of Allah, son of the Prophet of Allah, son of the Friend of Allah.” They said: We do not ask you about this. He said: “Are you asking me about the character of the Arabs?” They said: Yes. He said: “The best among you in the pre-Islamic period are the best among you in Islam if they understand.”

This Hadith is among the comprehensive sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and serves as a starting point to understand the character of people. In this context, “character” refers to the qualities and principles in a person’s heart. Every person has their own nature; some have noble character, and some have base character.

The Nobility and Baseness of People:

The nobility and baseness in people’s character are not related to lineage, ancestry, tribe, or status, but depend on their God-fearing, religious devotion, and consciousness of Allah. Piety, adherence to the rules of Islam, and virtues such as chastity, patience, and integrity determine a person’s nobility.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever’s deeds are slow, his lineage will not hasten him.” As also mentioned in the Hadith: “The most honorable of you with Allah is the most God-fearing of you.” This Hadith clarifies that honor does not come from noble lineage, but from adherence to the fear of Allah.

The Correct Classification of People:

Some may object: Why classify people? We know that labeling people can be blameworthy, but here the classification should be based on closeness or distance from the commands of Allah and His Messenger, not based on pre-Islamic tribal biases. In the Quran, Allah has classified people in several verses, such as: “That is the good news which Allah gives to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds”【2】, and also in the verse: “And of the people are those who take others besides Allah as equals, loving them as they should love Allah.”

This classification depends on piety and actions, not lineage or tribes.

The Concept of People’s Character in the Quran:

In the Quran, Allah has clearly mentioned the character of people in several verses. In Surah Al-Baqarah, people are divided into three groups:

  • Those who believe in Allah
  • Those who disbelieve
  • Those who are unjust, hesitant, deceitful, i.e., the hypocrites.

In Surah Bara’ah, other similar divisions are found to determine people’s character, such as: those who say “Allow me and do not tempt me” and those who follow the truth and those who reject it.

Allah also referred to people’s character by comparing some to animals, such as dogs and donkeys. He said: “Indeed, those who deny Our signs wrong themselves”【5】, and also: “Like a donkey carrying books”【6】.

The Impact of Knowing People’s Character on Dawah and Reform:

It is important to know people’s character, especially in the field of Dawah (inviting to Islam) and reform, because one cannot reform people without understanding their nature and ethics. The pious predecessors paid attention to this aspect to preserve the Sharia and accurately transmit reports and traditions.

By knowing people’s character, one can distinguish between different personalities. From observable behaviors, we can identify their nature, such as:

  • Those dominated by fear and who cry upon hearing the verses of warning are among the fearful.
  • Those who feel joy and happiness upon hearing the verses of promise are among the hopeful.

Examples of People’s Character:

  • Lovers of Knowledge and Remembrance: Those who have a strong love for knowledge, remembrance, and worship, are sincere seekers striving to draw closer to Allah.
  • Hypocrites: Those inclined to criticize scholars and preachers, and tarnish the reputation of believers, are hypocrites who oppose the Dawah.
  • Sincere Preachers: Those who care for enjoining good and forbidding evil, and act upon what they preach, are sincere preachers striving to improve the Ummah.

The Hadith about the Sincere Group:

In the Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “And those who come after them say: Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and do not place in our hearts any resentment towards those who believe”【7】.

This Hadith reflects the qualities of the sincere group seeking goodness, righteousness, and reform.

Conclusion:

Through the discussion of people’s character, we learn that virtue is not in lineage or tribe, but in piety and righteous deeds. We must understand that classification based on closeness to Allah and His Messenger is permissible if the goal is reform and the upliftment of the Ummah, away from pre-Islamic biases.