1. Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه said that people’s ranks are according to the level of their character.
2. Hazrat Yahya ibn Mu’āz رضي الله عنه said that good conduct is the door to plentiful sustenance.
3. Abul Abbās ibn Ahmad رحمه الله said that whoever attained lofty positions attained that due to sublime character.
4. Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه says that Tawfeeq (Divinely bestowed ability to do good) is the best guide for a person, and good character is the best companion.
Hazrat Hasan Basri رحمه الله is reported to have said that a dog is better than a person who does not possess even one of the following qualities:
● Fear of Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله that prevents him from staying away from Harām,
● Forbearance that safeguards him from the folly of an ignorant person,
● Good character by which he associates and socialises with people.
(Ithāf, Vol 7, Page 323)
(SOURCE: THE SUBLIME CONDUCT OF NABĪ صلى الله عليه وسلم, PART 4 by Mufti Muhammad Irshaad Ahmed Qāsimī)