One Person Could Be Better Than 1000 Other People

One Person Could Be Better than 1000 Other People

Salmaan Al-Faarisi رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

((There is nothing that is better than one thousand like it, except a person))

•⁠ ⁠authenticated by Shaykh Al-Albaani رحمه الله

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Shaykh Ahmed As-Subayee commented on this hadeeth:

“A person could be better than 1000 other people.

There are many proofs related to this topic.

By the supreme wisdom of Allah, He made His slaves different by what’s in their hearts, their characteristics, and their deeds.

Allah may give someone means to achieve what others can’t do.

A believer recognizes his own reality, level, ability & what he’s good at.

He also submits regarding what Allah has given others.

This brings relaxation to oneself & stability to one’s heart.”

Related Question:

Does this hadeeth mean that among animals, plants, etc. this doesn't occur? Meaning for example, the variations in the strengths of lions is not such that 1 lion would be better than 1000 other lions?

Answer:

Correct, we know that degree of differentiation does not occur among the rest of the creation, because the Prophet ﷺ said it does not in this hadeeth.

The spectrum of how humans can love, care, show kindness, show mercy, be generous, be brave, sacrifice, teach, be patient, be loyal, be dedicated, etc., etc., etc.…

are just some dynamic angles of a human’s character and capabilities that are just so incomparable to anything else from among Allah’s creation that we know about.