Muslim reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه about the Prophet صلى الله وسلم that:

“A man went to visit a brother of his in another village. Allah سبحانه وتعالى sent an angel to wait for him on the road. When the man came along, the angel asked him, ‘Where do you intend to go?’ He said, ‘I am going to visit a brother of mine who lives in this village.’ The angel asked, ‘Have you done him any favour (for which you are now seeking repayment)?’ He said, ‘No. I just love him for the sake of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.’ The angel told him, I am a messenger to you from Allah سبحانه وتعالى, sent to tell you that He loves you as you love your brother for His sake.”