words of wisdom

My beloved counseled me not to put my feet anywhere except where I hoped for Allah's reward, not to sit anywhere except where I was safe from disobedience to Allah, not to accompany anyone except someone in whom I could find support in obedience to Allah and not to select anyone for myself other than those who increased my certainty; and how rare they are to find!

Whoever directs you to this world has cheated you; whoever directs you to deeds has exhausted you; but whoever directs you to Allah has truly counseled you.

Make piety (taqwa) your abode, and the delight of your selfish soul will do you no harm so long as it is discontent with its faults and does not persist in acts of disobedience nor abandons the awareness of Allah in solitude.

- sayings of Shaykh Abu Hasan Shadhili (r.a)

Commenting on the sayings mentioned above, Sidi Ahmad Zarruq (r.a) states:
I say that being content with the self, persisting in disobedient acts, and abandoning awareness of Allah are the foundations of all illnesses, tribulations and pitfalls.