Hadithcore
Riyad as-Salihin, 1298

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: "What other good deed could be an equivalent of Jihad in the way of Allah?" He (ﷺ) replied, "You do not have the strength to do it." (The narrator said:) The question was repeated twice or thrice, but every time he (ﷺ) answered, "You do not have the strength to do it." Then he (ﷺ) said, "One who goes out for Jihad in the Cause of Allah is like a person who observes Saum (fasting), stands in Salat (prayer) constantly, recites the Ayat of the Qur'an and does not exhibit any lassitude in fasting and prayer until the participant of Jihad in the way of Allah returns." <b>[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]</b>.

وعنه قال قيل يا رسول الله‏:‏ ما يعدل الجهاد في سبيل الله‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏لاتستطيعونه‏"‏ فأعادوا عليه مرتين أو ثلاثًا كل ذلك يقول‏:‏ ‏"‏لاتستطيعونه‏!‏‏"‏ ثم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏مثل المجاهد في سبيل الله كمثل الصائم القائم القانت بآيات الله لا يفتر‏:‏ من صلاة ولا صيام، حتى يرجع المجاهد في سبيل الله‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه، وهذا لفظ مسلم‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏ وفي رواية البخاري، أن رجلا قال‏:‏ يا رسول الله دلني على عمل يعدل الجهاد‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏لا أجده‏"‏ ثم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏هل تستطيع إذا خرج المجاهد أن تدخل مسجدك فتقوم ولا تفتر وتصوم ولا تفطر‏؟‏ فقال‏:‏ ومن يستطيع ذلك‏؟‏‏!‏‏.‏

References1 variant
In-Book Reference
Book 11, Hadith 14
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br> 1) A Mujāhid in the cause of Allah gets a reward similar to one who is totally and continually engaged in worship.<br> 2) Virtuous deeds are favors from Allah Almighty upon those He wills among His servants. Indeed, a person does not reach a high rank by virtue of his knowledge and deeds only, but through the mercy and grace of his Lord.
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