A BETTER HUMAN BEING

Abu Hurairah reported: The Prophet of Islam once approached a group of people and said:

“Shall I tell you who among you is the best and the worst?”

The people remained silent. He repeated the question three times. Then one man replied, “Yes, O Messenger of God, please tell us.”

The Prophet said: “The best among you is the one whose goodness people expect, and from whose harm they feel safe.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi Hadith No. 2263)

This hadith clearly defines who is a good person and who is not. A good person is someone others can expect benefit from. When others interact with him, their experience is of kind words and good actions. Nothing makes him abandon this standard to act harmfully.

Of course, such a person also experiences inner anger, annoyance, and frustration—just like anyone else. He, too, dislikes being mistreated, and he, too, may feel the sting of provocation. But despite all that, he remains principled.

He absorbs emotional shocks internally. He swallows his own bitterness to offer others kindness. He places the pain of mistreatment into God›s hands—so that his inner peace is not disturbed. This allows him to continue pursuing his higher purpose with complete focus.