The Dignity of Man

The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Nothing is more honored by Allah than the son of Adam. He was asked, ‘Not even the angels, O Messenger of Allah? He said, ‘The angels are compelled [by predestination] like the sun and the moon.

The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Nothing is better than a thousand of its like, except for man.

Imam al-Sadiq (AS), when 'Abdullah b. Sinan asked him, ‘Is man better or the angels?, replied, ‘The Commander of the Faithful (AS) said, ‘Allah, the Exalted, gave the angels intellect without desire, He gave the beasts desire without intellect, and He gave both to the sons of Adam. So a man whose intellect prevails over his desire is better than the angels whilst a man whose desire prevails over his intellect is worse that the beasts.