Jihad

kahaf

Discussing the ayah:

و جاهدو فى الله حق جهاده :الحج 78

Hakim al Umma Mawlana Asharf Ali Thanwi (Allah have mercy on him) enumerates the different types of stuggles (mujahida) encountered in tasawwuf.

Jihad bin Nafas. That is, to purify it by fulfilling the rights of one’s own self and abandoning the (extravagant & sinful) pleasures.

Jihad e qalb. That is to cleanse the qalb/heart (of all impurities and whatever that is other than Him] and detach it form all the attachments of both the worlds (i.e. here & hereafter).

Jihad e ruh. That is, to achieve fana (annihilation) of the self (desires, suggestions, planning, expectations, etc).”

Masail us sulook min kalam Malik ul mulook, page 364