Riyad as-Salihin — Hadith #40563

On his authority, he said: It was said, O Messenger of God: What is equivalent to jihad for the sake of God? He said: “You cannot do it.” So they repeated it to him two or three times, all of which saying: “You cannot do it!” Then he said: “The likeness of the one who fights for the sake of God is like the one who fasts, standing, obedient to the verses of God, who does not stop praying or fasting, until the Mujahid returns to the cause of God.” ((Agreed upon, and this is a Muslim wording)). And in Al-Bukhari’s narration is that a man said: O Messenger of God, direct me to an action that is equivalent to jihad? He said: “I cannot find it.” Then he said: “If the Mujahid comes out, can you enter your mosque and stand up and not stop, and fast without breaking the fast?” He said: And who can do that?!