Lesser and greater Jihad Hadith

Question

It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), said to his companions when they returned from a military campaign, “We have come back from the lesser jihaad to the greater jihaad.” They said, “Is there any greater jihaad than jihaad against the kuffaar?” he said, “Yes, jihaad al-nafs (jihaad against the self).”

is this sahih?

Ml. Abdur Rahman Shareef · Accepted Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

We have not come across this Hadith with its exact wording. However, we have come across a Hadith with similar wording and meaning. The Hadith is as follows:

We have come back from the lesser jihad to the greater jihaad.”They said, what is the greater jihaad? Nabi S.A.W said: “the jihaad of the heart”. (Bayhaqi)

Imam Bayhaqi (R.A) has stated that there is du’f (weakness) in the sanad (chain of narrators) of the above-mentioned narration. Ibn Hajar (R.A) has stated that the above-mentioned narration is the statement of Ibraheem bin Abi Ablah.

(Ad durar al muntsira,pg 124,maktabatul warraq,riyadh)

(Kashful khafa,pg 1/375, maktabat ahmad al baz,makkah)

(Asrarul marfuu’a, pg 211, maktabah al islami)

However, the meaning of this hadith is sahih (authentic), as it explains the importance of controlling ones desires.

And Allah knows best

Wassalaamu `alaykum

Ml. Abdur Rahman Shareef,
Student Darul Iftaa

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