Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:
The path of Deen is a path of self-reformation. The purpose and object of self-reformation is for one to create within his heart the natural urge and desire to fulfill the commands of Allah Ta‘ala and to refrain from those things which are prohibited by Allah Ta‘ala. In other words, one’s heart becomes such that it only finds happiness and fulfillment in carrying out the commands of Allah Ta‘ala, and it finds discomfort and resentment in breaking the commands of Allah Ta‘ala. This is the very purpose of the path of self-reformation. The spiritual exercises that are prescribed by the Mashaayikh are merely a means to achieve this goal. (Malfoozaat Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 13)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za