Authentic hadithNarrated by Bukhari

This one is better than an earthful of the other

عن سهل بن سعد الساعدي رضي الله عنه قال: مَرَّ رجلٌ على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال لرجل عنده جالسٌ: «ما رأيُك في هَذا؟»، فقال: رجل من أَشراف الناس، هذا والله حَرِيٌّ إن خَطب أن يُنْكَحَ، وإن شَفع أن يُشَفَّعَ، فَسكت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثم مرَّ رجلٌ آخر، فقال له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : «ما رأيُك في هذا؟» فقال: يا رسول الله، هذا رجلٌ من فقراء المسلمين، هذا حَرِيٌّ إن خَطب أن لا يُنْكَحَ، وإن شَفَعَ أن لا يُشَفَّعَ، وإن قال أن لا يُسمع لقوله، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : «هذا خَيرٌ من مِلءِ الأرض مثل هذا».

Explanation

Meaning: Two men passed by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). One of them was from the noblest of the people, who had influence among them. He would be accepted if he proposed in marriage, and would be listened to if he spoke. The other man was the opposite; from the weak Muslims who had no status among the people. If he proposed in marriage, he would not be accepted; if he interceded, his intercession would be rejected; and if he spoke, he would not be listened to.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: “This one (the second) is better than an earthful of the other (the first).” He means that he is better in the sight of Allah, the Almighty, than an earthful of the other man who had a noble status and influence among his people because Allah, the Exalted, does not look at a person’s status, influence, lineage, wealth, appearance, clothes, mounts (the vehicle they ride), or his houses. Allah looks at their hearts and their deeds.

Another Hadīth reads: “Verily, Allah does not look at your appearances or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” If the heart is of a person sound with respect to what is between himself and Allah, the Almighty, turns to Him, becomes mindful of Him, is diligent to the rights of Allah, shows humility to Him, strives to do what pleases Him, then this indeed is the person who is noble in the sight of Allah. He is the one who holds a high status with Allah.

He is the one who, if he were to take an oath in the name of Allah, Allah would fulfill his oath.

Source

كنوز رياض الصالحين، أ. د. حمد بن ناصر بن عبد الرحمن العمار، دار كنوز اشبيليا، الطبعة الأولى، 1430هـ. بهجة الناظرين، الشيخ: سليم بن عيد الهلالي، دار ابن الجوزي. نزهة المتقين، د. مصطفى سعيد الخن - د. مصطفى البغا - محي الدين مستو - علي الشرجبي - محمد أمين لطفي، مؤسسة الرسالة، بيروت الطبعة الأولى، 1397هـ - 1977م. شرح رياض الصالحين، المؤلف: محمد بن صالح بن محمد العثيمين، الناشر: دار الوطن للنشر، الرياض، الطبعة: 1426هـ. رياض الصالحين، د. ماهر بن ياسين الفحل، الناشر: دار ابن كثير للطباعة والنشر والتوزيع، دمشق - بيروت، الطبعة الأولى، 1428هـ - 2007م. صحيح البخاري، محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري، دار طوق النجاة، الطبعة الأولى، 1422هـ.
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This one is better than an earthful of the other | Virtues and Manners | Al Muslim Plus