What is the greater jihad and the lesser jihad? And what is the authenticity of the hadith (We returned from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad)?

The questioner : What is the famous saying about the greater jihad and the lesser jihad, regarding the validity of the chain of this saying and its meaning?

The Shaykh : The hadith is not valid in terms of its chain of narration. As for its meaning, I do not consider it correct either. This is because, although jihad against the self is undoubtedly a very important matter in Islam, to the extent that he (peace and blessings be upon him) said , it is not hidden from any Muslim that a person going out to fight in the cause of Allah the Mighty and Majestic is not equal in the intensity of jihad to one who remains in his home, in his country, among his family and wives, no matter how righteous, pious, and self-striving he may be. This jihad while he is in his homeland is not equal to the jihad of one who leaves his country to fight in the cause of Allah the Mighty and Majestic. As is said in some lands, "he has placed his blood in his palm," this one who directly exposes himself to death in the cause of Allah is not equal to the one who fights his self in the general jihad mentioned in the hadith of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, I do not consider the meaning of that hadith to be correct.