it was also recorded by Ibn al-Mubārak in al-Zuhd (1340), on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, attributed to the Prophet. Its chain of transmission is weak.

1837 — “The best people are those of finest character.”

Al-Ṭabarānī recorded it (no. 13326) from Anas ibn ʿIyāḍ: Nāfiʿ ibn ʿAbd Allāh informed us, from Furwah ibn Qays, from ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿUmar, who said: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked, “Which people are best?” He replied, “Those of finest character.”

I say: This is a weak chain of transmission, for Furwah ibn Qays and Nāfiʿ ibn ʿAbd Allāh are unknown. However, it is corroborated by the hadith of Ibn ʿAmr, attributed to the Prophet, with the wording: “The best of you are those with the finest character.” It was recorded by the two Shaykhs and others, and has preceded (286).

1838 — “The best of women is she who pleases him when he looks at her, obeys him when he commands her, and does not oppose him concerning herself or her wealth in any matter he dislikes.”

Al-Nasāʾī (2/72), al-Ḥākim (2/161), and Aḥmad (2/251, 432, and 438) recorded it from Muḥammad ibn ʿAjlān, from Saʿīd al-Maqburī, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: “It was said to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: ‘Which women are best?’ He replied: ‘She who pleases him …’”—the hadith. Al-Ḥākim said: “Authentic according to Muslim’s criterion,” and al-Dhahabī agreed with him. Al-ʿIrāqī (2/36) said: “Its chain is authentic.” That is what they said, but it is not so; rather, it is only good, as we have already mentioned, for Ibn ʿAjlān has been subject to criticism