How can the seemingly conflicting prophetic hadiths that speak of "the best of people" be reconciled, and are they outwardly contradictory?

There is no contradiction between the texts of the Sharia, and the reason for the apparent difference in the hadiths of "the best of you" is due to several matters:

1. The Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) answers differed according to the varying circumstances and the needs of those being addressed. Thus, the quality of being "the best" might be restricted to a specific time or the situation of a particular questioner, just as every action can be the best in its own particular context.

2. The phrase "the best of you" or "the best of people" does not imply absolute goodness, but may be restricted to a certain aspect or state. The meaning could be "among the best of people" or "among the best of you," with the particle "min" (from/among) being omitted but intended.

3. The hadith might have been narrated in response to a specific reason or event that necessitated encouragement for a particular quality, such as the hadith "The best of you is he who is best to his family," which was said after men were permitted to strike women, and the hadith "The best of you is he who is best in repaying debts," which was said after an incident where a man demanded repayment from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) harshly.