Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates this statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "When Allah Almighty loves a servant, He says to Jibreel, peace be upon him: I love such and such person, so you also love him. Then Sayyiduna Jibreel, peace be upon him, also begins to love him. Then he announces among the inhabitants of the heavens: Indeed, Allah Almighty loves such and such person, so you all should also love him. Then the inhabitants of the heavens also begin to love him, and then acceptance is placed for that person on the earth." And when Allah Almighty dislikes a servant—Malik, the narrator, said: I think the words 'dislikes' are in the narration—then the rest of the hadith is as previously mentioned.

Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says: This narration has been transmitted by Suhail from his father, and he has transmitted this narration from Qaqa’ bin Hakeem from his father.