Yusuf (Joseph), the most honourable among the mankind

Once prophet Mohammed (SA) was asked. Who is the most honourable among man?
He replied: In the eyes of allah, the most honourable is the one who has Taqwa.

They said: This is known to us. What we mean is in a broder sense.

Then Prophet Mohammed (SA) said: Yusuf (AS) is the most honourable among mankind. He was handsome, perfect in everything and was the son of a prophet, who in turn was the son of prophet, who in turn was the son of a prophet. And he was in power both in spiritual and material terms.

As we all know Yusuf (AS) was a prophet and at the same time a minister in Egypt who handled the treasury!

There is a great lesson in this example from Prophet Mohammed (SA). The greatness is not coming from leading a spiritual life in seclusion. It is associated with those in control of the affairs and who successfully manages them with justice and due respect of evrything that matters.

Prophet Mohammed himself was a wholistic man. He was a Prophet, a ruler, a businessman, a father, a reformer,..............a real leader.

"My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels. Of humble origins, Muhammad founded and promulgated one of the world's great religions, and became an immensely effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his death, his influence is still powerful and pervasive..........." From the book : The 100, a Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History by Michael H. Hart.

Yes. For those prophets and leaders religion was not a barrier, but a means to greatness.

Courtsey: The class of br. Abdul Kareem Sullami Edavanna.
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Important note to the reader: Since I am reproducing the class from my memory, the words in this post need not be exactly matching to the words from hadees. I was trying to summarise the message only. So please do not quote without referring the basic Hadees books.