43/16. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2321a — Best Character
His Great Modesty
Hadith About the Best People in Character
Sahih Muslim : 2321a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2321a
حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَعُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ شَقِيقٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، قَالَ دَخَلْنَا عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو حِينَ قَدِمَ مُعَاوِيَةُ إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ فَذَكَرَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ لَمْ يَكُنْ فَاحِشًا وَلاَ مُتَفَحِّشًا . وَقَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ مِنْ خِيَارِكُمْ أَحَاسِنَكُمْ أَخْلاَقًا " . قَالَ عُثْمَانُ حِينَ قَدِمَ مَعَ مُعَاوِيَةَ إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ .
Masruq Narrated from:
We went to Abdullah b. 'Amr when Mu'dwiya came to Kufa, and he made a mention of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said: He was never immoderate in his talk and he never reviled others. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) also said: The best amongst you are those who are best in morals. Uthman said: When he came to Kufa along with Mu'awiya... (The rest of the hadith is the same).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2321aIn-book reference : Book 43, Hadith 91USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 30, Hadith 5740
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2321a
This Hadith about good character explains two things at once. First, Abdullah b. Amr described Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) by saying that he was not immoderate in speech and did not revile others. Second, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that the best among people are those who are best in morals. The report links good character with clean speech. A person is not shown as better because of harsh words, insults, or foul talk. The main lesson is very practical: good morals appear in how we speak and how we treat others. This Hadith is often searched as best of you are best in character hadith, and it gives a simple measure of goodness through manners.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not use foul or abusive speech.
- Good morals are a sign of being among the best people.
- Speech is a clear place where character becomes visible.
