44. Merits of the Companions
٤٤۔ كتاب فضائل الصحابة ؓ
You would find people like those of mine, the good amongst you in the Days of Ignorance would be good amongst you in the days of Islam, provided they have an understanding of it and you will find good amongst people the persons who would be averse to position of authority until it is thrust upon them, and you will find the worst amongst persons one who has double face. He comes with one face to them and with the other face to the others.
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ تَجِدُونَ النَّاسَ مَعَادِنَ فَخِيَارُهُمْ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ خِيَارُهُمْ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ إِذَا فَقُهُوا وَتَجِدُونَ مِنْ خَيْرِ النَّاسِ فِي هَذَا الأَمْرِ أَكْرَهُهُمْ لَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقَعَ فِيهِ وَتَجِدُونَ مِنْ شِرَارِ النَّاسِ ذَا الْوَجْهَيْنِ الَّذِي يَأْتِي هَؤُلاَءِ بِوَجْهٍ وَهَؤُلاَءِ بِوَجْهٍ
This hadith has been transmitted through other chains of transmitters. The chain of of Abu Zur'a has a slight variation of wording.
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ تَجِدُونَ النَّاسَ مَعَادِنَ بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِ الزُّهْرِيِّ غَيْرَ أَنَّ فِي حَدِيثِ أَبِي زُرْعَةَ وَالأَعْرَجِ تَجِدُونَ مِنْ خَيْرِ النَّاسِ فِي هَذَا الشَّأْنِ أَشَدَّهُمْ لَهُ كَرَاهِيَةً حَتَّى يَقَعَ فِيهِ