Ahmad:

“Keeping guard for one night in Allah’s cause is better than a thousand nights spent in prayer with their days spent fasting.”

In the two Sahīh collections, it is reported that a man said: “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of something equal to jihad in Allah’s cause.”

He replied: “You would not be able to do it.”

The man said: “Tell me what it is.”

He replied: “When the one undertaking jihad sets out, can you fast without breaking your fast and stand in prayer without ceasing?”

The man said: “No.”

He replied: “That is what equals jihad.”

In the Sunan collections, it is reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Every community has its devotional journeying, and the devotional journeying of my community is jihad in Allah’s cause.”

This is a vast subject. Nothing comparable to what has been reported concerning its reward and virtue has been reported concerning other deeds.

This is also evident upon reflection, for the benefits of jihad extend both to those who undertake it and to others, in both religious and worldly affairs. It encompasses every kind of inward and outward worship. It includes love of Allah Most High, sincerity towards Him, reliance upon Him, surrendering one’s life and wealth to Him, patience, renunciation of worldly attachments, remembrance of Allah, and all other kinds of deeds to an extent unmatched by any other deed.

Whether an individual or a community undertakes it, they are always assured of one of two good outcomes: either victory and triumph, or martyrdom and Paradise. For people must live and die, and jihad puts their lives and deaths to use