The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked: Who is the most honorable of people? He said: The most pious. They said: We are not asking you about that. He said: Then Joseph, the Prophet of Allah, the son of the Prophet of Allah [Jacob], the son of the Friend of Allah [Abraham]. They said: We are not asking you about that. He said: Then you are asking me about the essence of Arabs [people]. The best of them in the pre-Islamic times of ignorance are the best of them in Islam, provided they have acquired the knowledge and understanding of the religion.