ودّ المؤمن المؤمن فياللّه من أعظم شعب الإيمان ومن أحب فياللّه وأبغض فياللّه وأعطى فياللّه ومنع فياللّه فهو من الأصفياء
The believer’s affection towards another believer for the sake of Allah is one of the most remarkable features of faith. He who loves, hates, makes a charitable donation or fails to do so for the sake of Allah is considered one of the selected few [asfiah].
(Tohfatul Oqul, p. 48)
Friendship, enmity, mercy and the lack thereof (where it is appropriate) - if they are for the sake of God - raise man's position to that of asfiah (meaning 'the select few') whose status is higher than believers and the pious people.