In order to emphasise the significance of this spiritual training the Prophet ﷺ uttered to his Companions the following when they were returning from the battle of Tâbûk.

“We have returned from the lesser Jihad to the greater Jihad.”

The battle with the nafs (the lower self) is more significant than the battle with the enemy. Abdul-Qâdir Jailâni, the great pillar of the Sufi path, said:

The battle with the nafs is harder than the battle with the enemy, because the enmity of the nafs is continuous at all times since the nafs is a part of the human personality. Why is it so difficult to do battle with the nafs? To fight with the nafs is to fight with one’s own self. It means giving up the bad habits and the desires of the self to follow the commandments of the Divine Law. Whoever leads those who fight such battles with the external and the internal enemy, Allah will reward such a person both in this and in the next life.” (al-Fath al-Rabbâni, Suhbat, 8)

Abu Bakr al-Saydalâni said:
“There is life in the death of the nafs, the life of the  heart is dependent upon the death of nafs.”
“The greatest victory is to escape from your nafs, since it is the greatest veil between you and your Lord.”

“It is impossible to beat the nafs with the nafs. Only by the help of Allah can you have a victory against your nafs. This means that your will submits to the will of Allah.” (Tadhkirat al-Awliyâh, 752)

Source:

Sultân al-‘Ârifîn SHAIKH MAHMÛD SÂMÎ RAMAZANOĞLU

THE SULTAN OF GNOSTICS

Musa TOPBAS