out virtuous deeds will be attaining such a great glory and splendour in the Hereafter. These pious people are not only the chosen people of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ but also the beloved people of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

Umm-ul-Mu`mineen, Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا has stated: The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would not feel surprise on anything nor any worldly thing would put him in amazement except a pious person.

(Musnad Imam Ahmad, vol. 9, pp. 341, Hadees 24457)

Similarly, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: The excellence of knowledge is greater than the excellence of worship and the best thing of your religion is piety. (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Awsat, vol. 3, pp. 92, Hadees 3960)

Who is the most honourable person?

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ narrated: Someone asked: O Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Who is the most honourable [person]? The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: The one who is the most pious amongst people. (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 2, pp. 421, Hadees 3353)

It is mentioned in another narration that the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to Sayyiduna Abu Zar Ghifari رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ: You are not better than any with red or black [skin] unless you excel him in piety.

(Musnad Imam Ahmad, vol. 8, pp. 93, Hadees 21464)

Commenting on the above-mentioned blessed Hadees, a renowned commentator, a great thinker of Ummah, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said: The true Muslim with black skin is greater than thousands of disbelievers with red and fair complexion. The pious Muslim with black skin is greater than thousands of adulterers with red and fair complexion. Pious person is greater than the transgressor, careful person is greater than heedless one. The mentioned blessed saying is extremely vast.

(Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 7, pp. 32-33)

Dear Islamic brothers! It is learnt that in Islam merely being wealthy or possessing famous lineage or having black or fair complexion does not bring