08/28/2025
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
"Being patient in staying away from (forbidden) desires is easier than being patient over the consequences of falling into those desires. For indeed, it will either cause pain and punishment, or it cuts you off from a greater and more complete delight and pleasure, or it will cause one's time to be wasted which will bring loss and regret. Or it will cause a reduction in a person's honor. Or it causes you to forget knowledge (of the religion) that was more delightful than fulfilling one's desire, or it makes an enemy rejoice and makes a close friend sad, or it prevents the path to future blessings, or it will cause you to have a (bad) characteristic that will remain and not go. For indeed, actions impact a person's characteristics and mannerisms."
[Al-Fawaaid pg. 202-203, Dir Wall al-Fawaaid print.