Happiness is attained by three things: being patient when tested, being thankful when receiving a blessing, and being repentant upon sinning.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaRead
Everything that is loved, if it is not loved for His sake then this love is nothing but distress and punishment. Every action that is not performed for His sake then it is wasted and severed. Every heart that does not reach Him is wretched; veiled from achieving its success and happiness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True love and actions should be directed towards a higher purpose to avoid suffering and find fulfillment.
This quote by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya emphasizes the importance of orienting one's love and actions toward a divine purpose. When love is detached from a higher reason, it can lead to emotional turmoil and a lack of true happiness. The quote suggests that genuine contentment and success can only be found when one's heart and actions align with a greater spiritual goal, warning against superficial attachments that do not contribute to one's ultimate well-being.
Themes
LoveSpiritualitySacrificeHappinessActions
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about love and purpose, one could say: 'As Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya wisely noted, love must be directed towards a higher purpose to bring true joy.'
More from Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya
All quotes →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-JawziyyaRead
As long as you are performing prayer, you are knocking at the door of Allah, and whoever is knocking at the door of Allah, Allah will open it for him.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaRead
Satan rejoiced when Adam (peace be upon him) came out of Paradise, but he did not know that when a diver sinks into the sea, he collects pearls and then rises again.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaRead
One of the most beneficial of remedies is persisting in du’a.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaRead
The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is al-Tawbah (repentance) and protection [from transgression]. It becomes rusty as a mirror becomes rusty, and its clarity is obtained by remembrance. It becomes naked as the body becomes naked, and its beautification is al-Taqwa. It becomes hungry and thirsty as the body becomes hungry, and its food and drink are knowledge, love, dependence, repentance and servitude.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaRead
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