Once Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked, "Who is the most honorable amongst the people?" He said, "The most righteous (i.e. Allah-fearing) amongst you." They said, "We do not ask you about this." He said, "Then Joseph, the prophet of Allah."
قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَنْ أَكْرَمُ النَّاسِ قَالَ أَتْقَاهُمْ قَالُوا لَيْسَ عَنْ هَذَا نَسْأَلُكَ قَالَ فَيُوسُفُ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ
[Machine] It was said, "O Messenger of Allah, who is the most honorable among the people?" He said, "The most righteous of them." They said, "We are not asking about this." He said, "Then why do you ask me about the origins of the Arabs? The best of you are the best in Islam when they have understanding."
قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَنْ أَكْرَمُ النَّاسِ؟ قَالَ «أَتْقَاهُمْ» قَالُوا لَسْنَا عَنْ هَذَا نَسْأَلُكَ قَالَ «فَعَنْ مَعَادِنِ الْعَرَبِ تَسْأَلُونَنِي؟ خِيَارُكُمْ خِيَارُكُمْ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ إِذَا فَقِهُوا»