The Greater Jihad

Imam Ali (AS) relates, ‘The Prophet (SAWA) dispatched troops [to a mission]. On seeing the returning armies from the battlefront, he said, ‘Blessed are those who have performed the lesser jihad, and have yet to perform the greater one. When asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is the greater jihad? the Prophet replied, ‘The jihad of the self, and added, ‘The best jihad is that of one who combats his own self that is between his two sides.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The best jihad is combatting ones self against its desires, and weaning it from the pleasures of this world.

Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘There is no greater distinction than jihad, and no jihad like combatting ones self.