When 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-JawziyyaThere 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 Qayyim Al-JawziyyaAnd if a person were given all of the world and what is in it, it would not fill his emptiness.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaThe hijrah to Allah includes abandoning what He hates and doing what He loves and accepts.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaHow is it possible for oneโs 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 Allahโs orders, neglecting His rights, and yet claim that he has good expectation of Allah?
Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya