Sayyiduna Abu al-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) reports this as a "marfu'" hadith: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whenever two men love one another for the sake of Allah Almighty in each other's absence, the more beloved of the two to Allah Almighty is the one who loves his companion more."
Imam al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat, and its narrators are the narrators of the Sahih, except al-Mu'afa bin Sulayman, and he is thiqah (trustworthy).
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب الزهد / 17995
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسنادہ صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«أخرجه المعجم الأوسط للطبراني برقم: 5275»