Riyad as-Salihin, 1290

Sahl bin Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Observing Ribat (e.g., guarding the Islamic frontier for the sake of Allah) for a single day is far better than the world and all that it contains. A place in Jannah as small as the whip of your horse is far better than the world and all that it contains. An endeavour (fighting) in the Cause of Allah in the evening or in the morning is far better than the world and all that it contains." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏رباط يوم في سبيل الله خير من الدنيا وما عليها، وموضع سوط أحدكم من الجنة خير من الدنيا وما عليها، والروحة يروحها العبد في سبيل الله تعالى، أو الغدوة خير من الدنيا وما عليها‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 11, Hadith 6

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) It shows a great merit for observing Ribāt and conducting Jihad in the cause of Allah Almighty. 2) The world and all that it contains is worthless in the sight of Allah and there is no good in it, except for something that draws us close to our Lord. So, the least amount of Jihad is better than the whole world. 3) The reason for refraining from Jihad is deep attachment to worldly life and strong inclination to it. Do we now know why we have abandoned Jihad?!

Related hadiths2