They replied, “That is not what we are asking about.” He said, “Then are you asking me about the ancestral stock of the Arabs?”—meaning their roots and genealogies. He then added, “The best of them in the Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic era) are the best of them in Islam, once they gain fiqh (understanding of the religion).” In other words, those who enjoyed noble lineage and pedigree before Islam will remain distinguished—on the condition that they acquire knowledge of Allah’s religion.

Take the clan of Banū Hāshim, for example. They are well known as the elite of Quraysh in Islam, but only provided they become learned in Allah’s religion. Should they lack such understanding, then—despite being among the finest Arabs by bloodline—they are neither the most honored before Allah nor the best of His creation.

This hadith therefore shows that a person’s lineage can confer honor only when joined to religious understanding. Lineage undoubtedly has its place; hence Banū Hāshim possess the purest and most illustrious ancestry, and from them came the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, the noblest of all creation. Allah the Exalted has said, “Allah knows best where to place His message” (al-Anʿām 124). Had this branch of the children of Adam not been the noblest of all branches, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—would not have been raised from among them, for a messenger is sent only from the noblest clans and highest lineages.

The takeaway from this hadith is the Prophet’s statement, peace and blessings be upon him, that the most honored of creation are those who have the greatest taqwā (God-fearing piety). If you wish to be honored in Allah’s sight and enjoy a lofty rank with Him, then cultivate taqwā; the more a person fears Allah, the more honored he is by Him. I ask Allah to make me and you among the God-fearing.