How Allah loves Wali Allah:

Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“When Allah ﷻ loves a servant, He calls out to Hazrat Jibra’il عليه السلام, saying, ‘Allah loves so-and-so, so you should love him too.’ Then, Hazrat Jibra’il عليه السلام loves him.

After that, Hazrat Jibra’il calls out to the inhabitants of the heavens, saying, ‘Allah loves so-and-so, so you should love him too.’ Consequently, the inhabitants of the heavens also begin to love him.

Then, acceptance (maqbooliyat) is placed in the hearts of the people on earth for him.”

References:

Sahih Bukhari, Kitabul Adab, Baab: Al Mikati Minalihi Ta’ala, Hadith: 5693

Note: This hadith is often listed as #6040 in various editions.

Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 9, Pg. 351, Kitab No 97, Kitabut Tawheed, Hadith: 7485

Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 4, Pg. 276, Kitab No 59, Kitab Baadil Khalk, Hadith: 3209

Sahih Muslim, Vol. 6, Pg. 496, Kitab No 45, Kitabul Birr Walsala Wal Adab, Hadith: 2637

Al Muwatta Imam Malik, Vol. 2, Pg. 953, Hadith: 1747

Jamai Tirmizi, Kitab Tafseer, Hadith: 3161

Musnad E Ahmad, Vol. 2, Pg. 509, Hadith: 10623

Imam Abu Nua’yim, Hilyatul Aulia, Vol. 7, Pg. 141

Imam Bayhaqi, Shoebul Imaan, Kitabuz Zuhad, Vol. 2, Pg. 301, Hadith: 805

Imam Nawawi, Riyadusalaheen, Vol. 1, Pg. 525, Kitab No: 01, Kitab Al Mukadama, Hadith: 387

Imam Nawawi, 40 Hadith E Qudsi, Pg. 65, Hadith No: 24