It was said to: Al-Hasan al-Basri: ‘Why doesn’t one feel ashamed of himself infront of his Lord, he seeks forgiveness for his sins then returns to them, and then seeks forgiveness and then returns to them?! So al-Hasan said: ‘Shaitan …
It was said to Muhammad Ibn Bashaar: ‘How is the path to Allah?’ So he said: ‘As you disobeyed Allah secretly, obey Him secretly, until the exquisiteness of virtue enters your heart’ (Tabaqaat al-Hanabilah, 2/62)