Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that a man set out to visit a (Muslim) brother of his in another town. So Allah appointed an angel on his way who waited for him. (When he passed by the angel,) the angel said: Where are you intending to go? The man replied: I am going to visit a (Muslim) brother of mine in that town. The angel asked: Is there any favor he has done to you which you are going to repay? He said: There is no other reason except that I love him for the sake of Allah. The (angel) said: I am a messenger to you from Allah to inform you that just as you love him for the sake of Allah, so Allah loves you. "Narrated by Muslim."