Some people were sitting with the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) when a person passed that way. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) asked of the company:

"What do you think of this person?" They replied:

"0, Prophet of Allah! He is the scion of a good family. By Allah, he is such that if he seeks in marriage the hand of a woman of the most illustrious family, he would not be rejected. If he recommends anybody, his recommendation would be readily accepted."

Thereupon the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) held his peace. A little later, another person happened to pass that way, and the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) put the same question to his companions about that person also. They replied:

"0, Prophet of Allah! He is a very poor Muslim. If he is betrothed somewhere, chances are that he will not get married. If he happens to recommend anybody, his recommendation is not likely to be accepted. If he talks, few would listen to him."

Thereupon the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) remarked:

"This latter person is better than a whole lot of such persons as the former."

Belonging to a good family carries absolutely no weight with Allah. A poor Muslim, who is of little esteem and who commands but little respect in this world, is far nearer to Allah than hundreds of the so-called noblemen who, though respected and attended upon by the wordly people, are far from the path of Allah. It is said in Hadith: