In al-Ṣaḥīḥayn [al-Bukhārī and Muslim] as narrated by Anas (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his father, son, and all of mankind”.

Imām al-Qurṭubī comments:

This ḥadīth, despite its brevity, mentions the various categories of love. They are:

1. Respect and reverence-based love. Like love for one’s father, the scholars or people of righteousness.
2. Love that stems from compassion and mercy. Like the love one possesses for his offspring.
3. Love for one’s colleagues or compatriots with whom he bears similarities, that stems from approving of and praising their traits. This applies to everyone other than the aforementioned.

Indeed, love for the Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) must surpass all these categories. This is because Allāh has perfected him (صلى الله عليه وسلم) over his entire species, favoured him over all of his ilk. By means of the upright traits of goodness instilled within him (صلى الله عليه وسلم), both apparent and hidden, and his exemplary conduct and beautiful attributes. For he is the most perfect person to ever trod the earth’s soil, or ride or walk upon it. The most gracious of those to be recompensed on the Day of Judgement. The one granted the very highest level in the home of generosity [i.e. Paradise].

Source: Al-Mufhim 1:225
Translated by: Riyāḍ al-Kanadī