It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There will always be forty men in my Ummah whose hearts are like the heart of Ibrahim (peace be upon him); through them Allah will ward off (calamities) from the people of the earth. They are called the Abdal." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "They did not attain this rank through prayer, fasting or charity." The Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah, then by what did they attain it?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By generosity and sincere goodwill towards the Muslims."
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / باب العين / 10352