Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates this statement of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him: "A man set out to visit his brother in another town. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Allah Almighty appointed an angel on his way. When the man reached the angel, the angel asked him: Where are you going? He replied: I am going to visit my brother in that town. The angel asked him: Has he done any favor to you for which you wish to repay him? The man replied: No, I only love him for the sake of Allah. The angel said: I have been sent to you as a messenger from Allah. Allah Almighty loves you just as you love that person for the sake of Allah Almighty."
Hadith Referenceصحیح ابن حبان / كتاب البر والإحسان / 572
Hadith Gradingفضيلة الشيخ الإمام محمد ناصر الدين الألبانيصحيح - «الصحيحة» (1044): م.فضيلة الشيخ العلّامة شُعيب الأرناؤوطإسناده صحيح على شرط مسلم، رجاله ثقات رجال الشيخين غير حماد بن سلمه فمن رجال مسلم.