In the words of the Prophet Muhammad there are greater and lesser aspects of jihad. What makes this statement significant is that it was said returning from the first major battle that the fledging Muslim community had to fight. The Prophet said "we are returning from the lesser struggle (jihad) to a greater struggle." Dismayed companions asked "What could be greater than this?" Muhammad replied "the struggle with the self (nafs)." The greater jihad comprises fighting superstition, wrong convictions, carnal desires and evil inclinations of the self in the pursuit of intellectual and spiritual enlightenment. This is the greater jihad as it is constant and has many invisible facets. The lesser jihad involves encouraging others to follow this path. While usually understood in a military sense, the lesser jihad is much more comprehensive. It consists of every action done by a believer or a believing community to advance the cause of Islam through lawful channels.²³

The Prophet combined these two aspects of jihad in a balanced manner. Testimonials to his unequalled courage and resolve in defending the emerging faith and the community of Muslims are found in numerous history books. We also find many accounts of his spiritual battles during nights and while fasting. When his wife A'isha questioned his persistence in prayer as being excessive, he replied "Shall I not be a servant grateful to God?" A'isha would often wake up to find him supplicating in prostration in the pitch darkness of the night.

[23] Fountain, Jan-March 2002, p 44 24