EXCELLENCE OF THE POOR

Sayyiduna Sahl ibn Sa'd رضي الله عنه that a man passed by Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم who asked the man sitting beside him, "What is your opinion of this man?" The man submitted, "He is very noble and honourable. By Allah, were he to propose marriage to a woman, they should marry (meaning, she would agree). Where he to make a recommendation, his recommendation should be accepted." Sayyiduna Sahl رضي الله عنه said that Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم did not say anything (at the moment). Again, a man passed by and Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم asked (the same man next to him). "What is your opinion of this man?" He submitted, "O Messenger of Allah, this man is among the poor Muslims were he to propose marriage to a woman, she would not marry him, were he to make a recommendation, it would not be approved. Were he to speak he would not be heard." Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "This man is better than a world-full of men like that one (who whom you had showered with praise)." [1]