Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله wrote,

"You must know that a human's [1] need for Allaah سبحانه و تعالى - that he worship Him and not associate any partner with Him - is a need concerning which there is no comparison that one can make an analogy to. In some matters, it resembles the need of the body for food and drink. However, there are many differences between the two.

The reality of a human being is in his heart and soul. These cannot be prosperous except through [their relation] with Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, concerning whom there is no other god. There is [for example,] no tranquillity in this world except in His remembrance. Verily, man is heading toward his Lord and he shall meet Him. He must definitely meet Him. There is no true goodness for him except in meeting Him. [2]

If the human experiences any pleasure or happiness other than in Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, that joy and happiness will not endure. It will move from one nature to another or from one person to another. The person will enjoy it at one time or only some of the time. In fact, sometimes the thing he enjoys and gets pleasure from does not bring him pleasure or enjoyment. Sometimes it even hurts him when it comes to him. And he is even more harmed by that. But his God is definitely always with him under every circumstance and at all times. Wherever he is, He is with him [by His knowledge and aid] ...

If someone worships anything other than Allaah سبحانه و تعالى - even if he loves it and attains some love in this world and some form of pleasure from that - [that false worship] will destroy the person in a way greater than the harmful displeasure that comes to a person who ate poison ...

You must know that if anyone loves something other than for the sake of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, then that beloved thing will definitely be a cause of harm and punishment... If somebody loves something other than for the sake of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, that thing will harm him whether it is with him or he is without it... [3] [4]

Notes:

[1] The word Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله used was 'abd (servant or slave); however, its inference is every human being.

[2] This is because the soul, by its ingrained nature, yearns for its meeting with its Creator سبحانه و تعالى.

[3] Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله, Majmoo', vol. 1, pp. 24-29.

[4] Shaykh Jamaluddin Zarabozo حفظه الله, Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi, vol. 1, pp. 209-210.