Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: Who among the people is the most honorable? He replied: The one who fears Allah the most. The companions said: We did not ask about this. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Then the most honorable among the people is Allah’s Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him), whose father was also a prophet, whose grandfather was also a prophet, and whose great-grandfather was the Friend of Allah (Khalilullah). The companions said: Our question was not about this either. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Then are you asking about the mines of the Arabs (i.e., different people)? People are like mines; the best among them in the pre-Islamic era are the best in Islam as well, provided they gain understanding of the religion.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever deceives the Arabs will neither be included in my intercession nor will he attain my love.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Salman Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him), he says: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: O Salman! Do not bear enmity towards me, for such enmity will drive you away from the religion. I said: O Messenger of Allah! Through you, Allah Almighty has guided us, how could I bear enmity towards you? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If you bear enmity towards the Arabs, it is as if you bear enmity towards me.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Only a hypocrite will harbor enmity towards the Arabs.