The ibtilaa' (testing) of the believer is like medicine for him. It cures him from illness. Had the illness remained it would destroy him or diminish his reward and level (in the hereafter). The tests and the trials extract these illnesses from him and prepare him for the perfect reward and the highest of degrees (in the life to come).
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaEvery gulp of air that goes out in a cause other than the cause of Allah will turn to sorrow and regret on the Day of Judgement.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaIf a man's patience is stronger than his whims and desires, then he is like an angel, but if his whims and desires are stronger than his patience, then he is like a devil. If his desire for food, drink and sex is stronger than his patience, then he is no better than an animal.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaWasting time is worse than death, because death separates you from this world whereas wasting time separates you from Allah
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaWhen Allah granted Prophet Yoosuf (`alayhis-Salaam) physical beauty it caused him to be locked up in the prison; but when Allah granted him knowledge (when he interpreted the dream of the king) it not only took him out of prison, but elevated his rank in society, clearly showing us the virtue of knowledge and that physical beauty does not mean anything.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaIf you wish to check how much you love Allah, then see how much your heart loves the Quran, and you will know the answer.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaFrom the perfection of Allah's ihsan is that He allows His slave to taste the bitterness of the break before the sweetness of the mend. So He does not break his believing slave, except to mend him. And He does not withhold from him, except to give him. And He does not test him (with hardship), except to cure him.
Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya