Continuation of the chapter: "The Chapter on the Talebearer." Explanation of the hadith of Asma' bint Yazid (may Allah be pleased with her): "Shall I inform you of the best of you?"

The Shaykh : There are some virtues conveyed in few words, and as we mentioned, this is a hadith that is authentic due to other supporting evidence. In the science of terminology, this means that the chain of narration in this book is weak, and its defect is that it is narrated by Shahr ibn Hawshab, who is the narrator of this hadith from Asma' bint Yazid. Shahr is not accused of lying, but there is discussion regarding his memory. Therefore, when supporting evidence comes for it, it becomes strong. That is why this hadith is authentic due to its corroborating narrations.
Asma' bint Yazid is one of the noble female Companions who narrates this hadith to us.
She said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: What is the meaning of this statement: This refers to the principle of the outward and the inward, meaning that the Muslim who is truly holding fast to his Islam, his Islam manifests in his appearance. I have mentioned on more than one occasion some authentic hadiths that indicate the connection between the outward and the inward. The most famous and strongest of these hadiths is his statement (peace and blessings be upon him) in the full text of the well-known hadith, the beginning of which is: to the end. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So this hadith links the soundness of the body to the soundness of the heart. This is very close; the soundness of the outward and the inward, the spiritual aspect, is linked to the soundness of the physical body in relation to the physical heart. Likewise, if the heart is healthy from a medical perspective, the body is generally healthy as well. The matter is even greater from the spiritual, moral perspective. So if the heart is filled with faith and full of certainty in what Islam brought, the effect of that appears on the limbs of this person. At that time, when this person is seen, Allah is remembered because the effects of piety and righteousness manifest on him, just as the Messenger (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him) said in the authentic hadith: The point of this hadith is his statement: This is a supplication by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) for radiance for the one who heard the Messenger's (peace and blessings be upon him) hadith and then conveyed it to the Muslims so that they might understand it. And the Messenger (peace be upon him) taught the matter by pointing to it with his statement: The scholars of hadith, its explainers, say that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) responded to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) supplication, and therefore this radiance is seen on the faces of those who are concerned with the hadith.
Similarly, every man who fills his heart with sincere faith, its effect appears on his body. So when he is seen, Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is remembered because of his appearance. Similar to this is what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) that he was asked about the best of people in reciting the Quran: Who is the best of people in reciting the Quran? He (peace be upon him) said: This is a reality that every sincere believer feels regarding the recitation of a person who takes recitation as a profession and a quick trade. Such a person seems to be performing with the Quran, as if he is singing with it, whereas a person who recites the Book of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) makes the listeners feel that he is reciting while fearing Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). So the best of people is the one who, when he is seen, causes Allah to be remembered because of his appearance. Either he is a righteous man who worships, and when people see him, they become aware of his righteousness and wish, as long as there is still faith in their hearts, to be like him. Or he is one who enjoins good and forbids evil, and likewise, when they see him, they are affected by him and understand through him, so they benefit from him. So this one who is seen causing Allah to be remembered is the best of people.