Given the topic, and the current popularity of equating Jihad with war, I thought it might be good to see what the Prophet had to say about jihad.
"The best jihad is that of him who speaks a just word before a tyrannical ruler." (reported in Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, and Ibn Majah)
During his final pilgrimage Muhammad said, "Should I inform you of who is a true believer? It is the one from whom people are secure with regards to their wealth and their persons. The true believer is one from whose tongue and hand people are safe. The Mujahid (one who wages jihad) is one who struggles against his own ego in obedience to Allah. And the Muhajir (the migrant in the Cause of Allah) is the one who abandons error and sin." (reported in Ahmed, al-Hakeem, and Tabarani.)
Allah's Apostle said, "The strong one is not he who overcomes people by his strength, but strong is the one who controls himself while in anger." (reported in Bukhari and Muslim)
And when asked what is the greatest jihad, he answered, "to struggle against one's base desires." (narated in Bayhaqi)
And finally, a quote from the Qur'an, here translated by Muhammad Asad,
42:36 Whatever you are given now is but for the enjoyment of life in this world - whereas that which is with God is far better and more enduring. It shall be given to all who attain to faith and in their Sustainer place their trust;
42:37 and who shun the more heinous sins and abominations; and who, whenever they are moved to anger, readily forgive;
42:38 and who respond to their Sustainer and are constant in prayer; and whose rule is through consultation among themselves; and who spend on others out of what We provide for them as sustenance;
42:39 and who, whenever tyranny afflicts them, defend themselves.
42:40 But remember that requiting evil may, too, become an evil: hence, whoever pardons his foe and makes peace, his reward rests with God, for, verily, He does not love evildoers.
42:41 Yet indeed, as for any who defend themselves after having been wronged - no blame attaches to them:
42:42 blame attaches but to those who oppress people and behave outrageously on earth, offending against all justice: for them there is grievous suffering in store!
42:43 But withal, if one is patient in adversity and forgives - this, behold, is indeed something to set one’s heart upon!
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