Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A man set out to visit his brother in another town. Allah sent an angel to wait for him along his way. When the man passed by him, the angel asked: 'Where are you going?' He replied: 'There is a brother of mine who lives in this town; I am going to visit him.' The angel asked: 'Is there any favor he has done for you, for which you are going to repay him?' He replied: 'No, I am only going because I love him for the sake of Allah.' The angel said: 'I am a messenger to you from Allah (and I have come to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him for His sake.'"

Sayyiduna Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whenever a servant loves someone for the sake of Allah Almighty, Allah Almighty grants him honor."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whenever two people love each other for the sake of Allah Almighty, then among them, the one who loves his friend more is more beloved to Allah Almighty."