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: "Our Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, is greatly pleased with (marvels at) a man who went out on an expedition in the cause of Allah, then his companions were defeated and fell back, but he realised his duty and went back until his blood was shed. Then Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, says to His angels: 'Look at this servant of Mine. He went back out of longing for what is with Me (of reward) and out of fear of what is with Me (of punishment), until his blood was shed.'" This hadith has a sahih (authentic) chain of narration, but the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are three whom Allah loves and three whom Allah hates. As for those whom Allah loves: one is a man who comes to a people and asks them in the name of Allah, not appealing to any kinship between him and them, and they do not give him anything, but a man slips out from behind them and gives to him secretly, so that no one knows of his gift except Allah and the one who received it. Second are people who travel all night until, when sleep has become dearer to them than anything else, they stop and lay down their heads (to sleep), but one of them stands and entreats Me humbly (in supplication) and recites My verses. Third is a man who is in an army and meets the enemy; when (his companions) are defeated, he advances with his chest forward until he is killed or Allah grants him victory. And the three whom Allah hates are: the old adulterer, the poor man who is arrogant, and the rich man who is oppressive."