Jihad al-Akbar wa Jihad al-Nafs

[Omar HH]

:salam:

I was wondering if anyone had the evidences that Jihad al-Nafs is "Jihad al-Akbar." All I could find were some very weak hadith that Shaykh Gibril Haddad listed.

The words of the scholars, or sayings of the Salaf etc. would do.

:jazak:

[Muawiyah]

Maulana Fakhr ud Deen of Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi has written a risalah showing that the hadeeth is Hasan

[Omar HH]

Maulana Fakhr ud Deen of Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi has written a risalah showing that the hadeeth is Hasan

Wow can you show me?

:jazak:

[salman]

Salamu 'Alaykum

The hadith is weak, but not a forgery. However, its meaning is supported by the Qur'anic verses, as well as the narration, "The Mujahid is the one who makes jihad against his ego" as narrated in the Sahih of Ibn Hibban - sound per Shaykh Arna'uts criteria.

It is also a saying of many of the Tabi'in, including ibn Abi 'Abla, Abu Hatima and so forth.

Wasalam

[abdushakur]

I think the main problem with this 'debate' on which jihad is the greater jihad out of jihad al-nafs and jihad al-qital is the confusion in the minds of the laymen.

The wording used is confusing.

What does the word 'akbar' (greater) really mean in this debate?

Is it that one of the two types of jihad is better/more important/of a greater priority than the other?
Or, that one of the two types of jihad is harder to undertake than the other?
Or, something else?

I think many people understand the issue to be one of choice, i.e. we either do one or the other. Either we believe qital (fighting) to be the 'greater' jihad and we focus on this or we believe purifying the nafs to be the 'greater' jihad and we focus on that instead.

Is the correct outlook to focus on both at the same time?
i.e. Be concerned about ones nafs at all times and also be concerned for the physical 'irfa (upholding) of the kalimah (legitimate jihad) at all times too?

Maybe the comprehensive, contextual meanings of the two types of ahadith need to be expanded upon instead of simply getting into a debate on the relative strengths of the two types of ahadith.

[Shaykhs-Pir Sahib]

ultimately we can argue all day about which is the greatest jihad.

the fact of the matter is, we should know the ins and outs of both and you can't have one without the other.

most sunni ulama, incl deobandi, have stated the need for jihad against the base desires, and in one reading i heard that jihad al-nafs IS the greatest jihad, but that it also includes jihad against the enemies of islam.

[hiker]

:sl:

The greater and lesser jihad, if it is the same thing ppl are discussing is narrated in Imaam Khateeb al-Baghdaadi in Taareekh Baghdad, Hafiz al-Daylami [ra] in al-Firdaws and al-Bayhaqi in al-Zuhd. (Faydhul Qadeer vol.4 pg.511)..



The scholars have differed quite diversely regarding the authenticity of this narration.

Hafidh ibn Hajar (RA) has stated that the Hadith in reference ‘is famous on the tongues, whereas it is the saying of Ibraaheem ibn Abi Ablah.’ (Kashful Khafaa vol.1 pg.325; Al-Asraarul Marfoo’ah of Mullah Ali al-Qari pg.211). He has made a similar statement in Takhrijul Kash-shaaf pg.194 Hadith715

Hafiz ibn Rajab al-Hanbali [ra] has quoted it as the saying of Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Aas [radhiallaahu anhu] and he then stated that it is narrated as a Hadith of Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] through a weak chain of narrators. (Sharh Hadith labbayk pg.128)

Hafiz Iraqi [ra] has mentioned that Imaam al-Bayhaqi [ra] has recoded in it his Kitaab ‘al-Zuhd’ and he said, ‘This chain has weakeness in it.’ (Takhrij Ihyaa Hadith2584)

Shaykh Abdullah al-Siddique al-Ghumariy [ra] has stated that it is weak. (Jawahirul Bayaan pg.77)

Shaykhul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah al-Kandehlawi [ra] has mentioned that though this Hadith may be weak, it can be used for proving the virtue of an action, and in fact, the weakness may be removed because of it having several chains, which lend strength to each other. (Jamaat –e- Tabligh par I’tiraazat pgs.3-4)

A similar statement has been issued by the honourable author of Tafseer Roohul ma’ani, Allaamah al-Aloosi [ra]. (Roohul ma’ani vol.9 pg.198; also refer to footnotes on laami‘ud-darari vol.2 pg.472)

It has also come to our knowledge that a great scholar of Hadith, Haafidhul Maghrib Shaykh Ahmad Siddique al-Ghumarie (RA) has written an article entitled, ‘Tahseenul Khabar al Waarid fil Jihaadil Akbar’ proving this narration to be hasan (soundly authentic). (Al-Mudawi pg.91 vol.4 pg.622)

Based on the above, those who choose the view that it is not a Hadith should not object on those who choose the opposite view as several Ulama have accepted it to be a Hadith that could be quoted.

and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

http://www.alinaam.org.za/dhadith/qna/gjihaad.htm



I will add this - the order which the Quran was revealed, also gives an indication or signify's something - all the jihad al-qital, verse's were revealed in Madina Munawaraa (sura like Baqaraa, Al-Ma'idah, Al-An'am, Tawba etc etc), where as the verse's and sura relating to jihad-an-nafs, were all reveal first, that is in Mecca!!!

:ws:

[mussnoon]

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله


I think the main problem with this 'debate' on which jihad is the greater jihad out of jihad al-nafs and jihad al-qital is the confusion in the minds of the laymen.

The wording used is confusing.

What does the word 'akbar' (greater) really mean in this debate?

Is it that one of the two types of jihad is better/more important/of a greater priority than the other?
Or, that one of the two types of jihad is harder to undertake than the other?
Or, something else?

I think many people understand the issue to be one of choice, i.e. we either do one or the other. Either we believe qital (fighting) to be the 'greater' jihad and we focus on this or we believe purifying the nafs to be the 'greater' jihad and we focus on that instead.

Is the correct outlook to focus on both at the same time?
i.e. Be concerned about ones nafs at all times and also be concerned for the physical 'irfa (upholding) of the kalimah (legitimate jihad) at all times too?

Maybe the comprehensive, contextual meanings of the two types of ahadith need to be expanded upon instead of simply getting into a debate on the relative strengths of the two types of ahadith.

Alhumdulillaah, those are some good points. Taking part in qitaal isn't possible without having cleansed one's nafs first, and the mere taking part in qitaal putting one's life - the most valuable treasure one has in possession - at risk is indeed a great jihaad, against the nafs.

In order to decide what we, in our current situation, need to do (as gaining knowledge isn't for the sake of storing them in locked boxes, but for acting upon them), one needs to listen to all sides of the argument. If one really is determined to find the truth, Allaah 'Azza wa Jall will not keep the truth hidden from them. And Allaah knows best.

It is quite interesting to see that most of the contemporary sunni scholars (yes most...not all) encourage people to sit in their homes even when the fiqh of it is quite clear and established. They contradict the fiqh that they follow with their actions, and so do I. Only difference is, some of them try to show you a doctored picture of reality to legitimize their actions, which is painful to see because for the layman, such as myself, it is hard, if not impossible, to believe that people from who we take most, if not all, aspects of the Deen would misguide us to such a great degree in just one or a few aspects. May Allaah 'Azza wa Jall forgive us and Guide us. I'm not saying they do it on purpose...but it is hard to comprehend how such knowledgable people could not understand things which are so simple.

Be grateful if you kept us updated on your findings brother Omar. Wass-Salaamu'alaikum.

والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله
والحمد لله

[Shaykhs-Pir Sahib]

It is quite interesting to see that most of the contemporary sunni scholars (yes most...not all) encourage people to sit in their homes even when the fiqh of it is quite clear and established.

I would be very weary of any such scholar who told me to 'sit at home' as it were. as yet, i have not a single sunni scholar say that.


They contradict the fiqh that they follow with their actions, and so do I. Only difference is, some of them try to show you a doctored picture of reality to legitimize their actions, which is painful to see because for the layman, such as myself, it is hard, if not impossible, to believe that people from who we take most, if not all, aspects of the Deen would misguide us to such a great degree in just one or a few aspects.

i don't feel misguided. maybe you should go and ask these scholars you are talking of, why they do this to you. and show them the clear fiqh.

[mussnoon]

Bismillaahi wass-Salaatu wass-Salaamu'alaa Rasoolillaah.

Us-Salaamu'alaikum brother Sahib. I'd be grateful if you referred me to anything (anything meaning any lectures, articles, books etc.) coming from any of the contemporary Sunni scholars that contradict what I stated.

[Shaykhs-Pir Sahib]

Bismillaahi wass-Salaatu wass-Salaamu'alaa Rasoolillaah.

Us-Salaamu'alaikum brother Sahib. I'd be grateful if you referred me to anything (anything meaning any lectures, articles, books etc.) coming from any of the contemporary Sunni scholars that contradict what I stated.

salams

the onus is on the one who makes the accusation. so show us how the ulema have told us to sit at home.

[mussnoon]

Bismillaahi wass-Salaatu wass-Salaamu'alaa Rasoolillaah.

You see bro, if I told you over and over again that an egg was a better source of vitamin C than a lemon, it would be natural for you, or anyone for that matter, to think that I would encourage you to have an egg, rather than lemonade, if you needed vitamin C.

I am unable to refer to you a resource that helps prove my accusation.

Now, for the sake of Allaah, to educate me, and not for the sake of argument (which wasn't what I was looking forward to to being with), could you please refer me to something that helps disprove my accusation?

Wass-Salaamu'alaikum.

[Shaykhs-Pir Sahib]

salam

bro, i neither want to get embroiled in petty argument. but thats one thing i have learnt from two different ulema. to make a statement and ask someone else to disprove it is not the way - so it looks like this topic has closed.

anyway, jihad will continue until the day of judgment insha'Allah.

[jae]

THAT HADITH IS FABRICATED: coz islam needs jihad for it to spread, for it to protect itself n its honour,. The hadith contradicts this ayah; --8:39
" And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allah Alone [in the whole of the world ]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allah), then certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what they do 8:39.
& it also contradicts this ayah:
Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) as equal to the worth of those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah? They are not equal before Allah. And Allah guides not those people who are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers). 9:19

[jae]

THAT HADITH IS FABRICATED: coz islam needs jihad for it to spread, for it to protect itself n its honour,. The hadith contradicts this ayah; --8:39
" And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allah Alone [in the whole of the world ]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allah), then certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what they do 8:39.
& it also contradicts this ayah:
Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) as equal to the worth of those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah? They are not equal before Allah. And Allah guides not those people who are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers). 9:19