We should know that Allah has created us to live an eternal life with no death, a life of pride and ease with no humiliation, a life of security with no fear, a life of richness with no poverty, a life of joy with no pain, a life of perfection with no flaws. Allah is testing us in this world with a life that will end in death, a life of pride that is accompanied by humiliation and degradation, a life that is tainted by fear, where joy and ease are mixed with sorrow and pain.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaWhoever desires to purify his heart, then let him prefer Allah to his desires
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaThe soul will never become pious and purified except through undergoing afflictions. It is the same as gold that can never be pure except after removing all the base metals in it.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaThe 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.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaThere is no joy for the one who does not bear sadness, there is no sweetness for the one who does not have patience, there is no delight for the one who does not suffer, and there is no relaxation for the one who does not endure fatigue.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaO you who sold yourself for the sake of something that will cause you suffering and pain, and which will also lose its beauty, you sold the most precious item for the cheapest price, as if you neither knew the value of the goods nor the meanness of the prize. Wait until you come on the Day of Mutual Loss and Gain and you will discover the injustice of this contract.
Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya