Chapter 1 - On One's Faults and Ways to Fight them

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “The Prophet of God (a.s) sent a group of peoples to fight the infidels. When they returned he said: “Bravo! You did well in this holy battle, but your holy war is left.” They asked: “What is the holy war?” He said: “It is fighting your own self.”

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “The best jihad is the one with your own self.”

“Is Jihad recommended or obligatory?” He replied: “There are four types of Jihad: Two types are obligatory; one type is recommended but it is performed as obligatory; one last type is recommended. The greatest jihad is fighting yourself trying not to commit any sins. This is obligatory. Fighting with the infidels who attack you is also obligatory. But the third type of Jihad is fighting against the enemies and it is obligatory for all people. If they abandon it, punishment will descend upon them. This type of Jihad is recommended for the Imam (a.s). At the most the enemies attack the people, and they will fight back. But the type of Jihad that is recommended is reviving the traditions. If you decide to establish a good tradition and make an effort in developing it, your deeds are of the best deeds since it is to revive the traditions.”