Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Book 7, Hadith 129 (English) ⓘ

Abu Hurayra said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, 'Which people are the most generous?'' He replied, 'The most generous of them in the sight of Allah are those with the most taqwa.' They said, 'That is not what we are asking about.' He said, 'The most generous of people was Yusuf, the Prophet of Allah, son of the Prophet of Allah, who was the son of the Intimate Friend of Allah (Ibrahim).' They said, 'That is not what we are asking about.' He said, 'Are you asking about those of Arab origin?' 'Yes,' they replied. He said, 'The best of you in the Jahiliyya is the best of you in Islam when you have understanding from Allah)."

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ، قَالَ‏:‏ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدَةُ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللهِ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ‏:‏ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَكْرَمُ‏؟‏ قَالَ‏:‏ أَكْرَمُهُمْ عِنْدَ اللهِ أَتْقَاهُمْ، قَالُوا‏:‏ لَيْسَ عَنْ هَذَا نَسْأَلُكَ، قَالَ‏:‏ فَأَكْرَمُ النَّاسِ يُوسُفُ نَبِيُّ اللهِ ابْنُ نَبِيِّ اللهِ ابْنِ خَلِيلِ اللهِ، قَالُوا‏:‏ لَيْسَ عَنْ هَذَا نَسْأَلُكَ، قَالَ‏:‏ فَعَنْ مَعَادِنِ الْعَرَبِ تَسْأَلُونِي‏؟‏ قَالُوا‏:‏ نَعَمْ، قَالَ‏:‏ فَخِيَارُكُمْ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ خِيَارُكُمْ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ إِذَا فَقِهُوا‏.‏