The Preference Between the Jihad of Knowledge and Explanation and the Jihad of Swords and Fighting

Question : Salim. Regarding jihad, the jihad of knowledge and the jihad of war, O Shaykh. The jihad of war dies with its practitioner, but the jihad of knowledge, with its leader like Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him), means exposing the people of falsehood and clarifying the truth for the people of truth, O Shaykh. So which of them is better, O Shaykh?

Answer : There is no doubt that the second is better. Now, Khalid ibn al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the bravest of the Muslims, and how many disbelievers were killed by his hand! Abu Hurayrah is far below him in that regard. Which of them had his mention preserved and people benefited greatly from him? Abu Hurayrah. For this reason, nothing hastens knowledge, as Imam Ahmad said: "Nothing hastens knowledge except one whose intention is sound and whose truthfulness is genuine." Now, for example, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Imam Ahmad, Imam al-Shafi'i, and these Imams are teaching us while they are in their graves, and between us and them are vast distances of land. They are teaching us. The brave ones who fought, through whom Allah was of benefit and through whom lands were opened, do not benefit us. Do you understand? The truth is that no one can grasp the virtue of knowledge unless he reflects and sees that the one who dealt with Allah with sincerity in knowledge, acted upon it, taught it, spread it, and called people to it, Allah the Exalted raises his mention.