Description of the Best of People

12 - ʿAbd Allāh narrated to us, saying: Sulaymān ibn ʿUmar ibn Khālid narrated to me, saying: Muḥammad ibn Salama narrated to us, from Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq, from Ibn Abī Najīḥ, from Mujāhid, from Umm Mubashshir al-Anṣāriyya, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allāh, Peace and blessings of God be upon him, say to his Companions: "Shall I not inform you of the best of people as a man?" They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allāh!" He gestured with his hand toward the East and said: "A man holding the reins of his horse in the cause of Allāh, waiting to attack or be attacked. Shall I not inform you of the best of them after him?" They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allāh!" He gestured with his hand toward the Ḥijāz and said: "A man tending a small flock of sheep, who establishes the Prayer, gives Zakat, knows the right of Allāh, Most High, in his wealth, and keeps away from the evils of the people." (1)