The keys to the life of the heart lie in reflecting upon the Quran, being humble before Allah in secret, and leaving sins.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaThere are six stages to knowledge: Firstly: Asking questions in a good manner. Secondly: Remaining quiet and listening attentively. Thirdly: Understanding well. Fourthly: Memorising. Fifthly: Teaching. Sixthly- and it is its fruit: Acting upon the knowledge and keeping to its limits.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaLove of Allah is the power of the heart, the sustenance of the heart, the light of the heart.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaThe heart, in its journey to Allah, Majestic is He, is like that of a bird; Love is its head, and fear and hope are its two wings. When the head and two wings are sound, the bird flies gracefully; if the head is severed, the bird dies; if the bird loses one of its wings, it then becomes a target for every hunter or predator.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaRepel the thought, for if you don't, it becomes an idea. So repel the idea, for if you don't it will become a desire. So fight against that(desire), for if you don't, it will become a determination and a passion. And if you don't repel that, it will become an action. And if you don't replace it with its opposite, it will become a constant habit. So at that point, it will be difficult for you to change it.
Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya