Sins have many side-effects. One of them is that they steal knowledge from you.

How is it possible for one’s heart to be certain that one is going to meet Allah, that Allah sees and hears all that he does, and knows his secret open affairs, and that he will be made to stand before Allah, answerable for all his deeds - how can one be certain and aware of all of this, and yet persist upon things which displease Allah; persist upon abandoning Allah’s orders, neglecting His rights, and yet claim that he has good expectation of Allah?

A true believer does not fear physical death, rather he fears the death of his heart

The heart will rest and feel relief if it is settled with Allah. And it will worry and feel anxious if it is settled with the people.

There is no captive in a worse state than the one who is captivated by his worst enemy (Shaytan) and there is no prison which is tighter than the prison of hawa (desire) and there is no bond/fetter more strong than the bond of desire. How, then, will a heart which is captivated, imprisoned and fettered travel unto Allah and the Home of the Hereafter?

Ibn Taymiyyah lived poorly. He was imprisoned and threatened. But I have never seen anyone as happy as him.

Be sincere in your aim and you will find the support of Allaah surrounding you.