*THIRD REMINDER*. Thursday. _*LET'S DECLARE JIHAD AGAINST OUR BAD DEEDS_*. BismilLah* Jihad means to struggle for the sake of Allah in a righteous cause. It takes many forms such as the inward struggle to achieve a pure heart, the struggle against sinful temptations, the struggle to help others in need, and the struggle to educate our communities. When necessary, jihad can refer to an armed struggle in defense of the community against those who strive to stop us worshiping our creator. Islamic scholars have written at length about the inward struggle against sinful desires been the most Important jihad to strive for. In contrast, the term “holy war” (harb al-muqaddis) was never used by the Prophet, his companions, or the great Muslim scholars who succeeded them. The mujahid is one who wages jihad against himself in obedience to Allah, and the emigrant is one who emigrates from sin and evil. Musnad Ahmad 23438, Graded: Sahih. Based upon this narration, Ibn Al-Qayyim said:  The jihad against the soul takes precedence over jihad against outward enemies because it is the foundation for it. No one with weak eeman can opt for Jihad to defend his fellow Muslims and community. Jihad can take the form of service to others in charity, especially parents. Abdullah bin Amr reported: A man said to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, “I pledge allegiance to you for emigration and striving in the way of Allah, seeking reward.” The Prophet said: Are one of your parents living? He said, “Yes, rather both of them.” The Prophet said: Do you seek reward from Allah? He said, “Yes.” The Prophet said: Then return to your parents and treat them with good company.  Sahih Muslim 2549, Graded: Sahih. Furthermore, armed jihad against an external enemy has conditions and limits and not every Muslim needs to perform it, yet the internal jihad against the soul must be practiced by everyone. A just armed jihad cannot be waged by people whose hearts and minds are defiled by hatred and who are ignorant of Islam’s moral teachings. As such, Allah has commanded the believers to appoint scholars to teach those who perform military service so as to prevent them from transgressing on the battlefield. Allah says: It is not for the believers to go forth in battle all at once. For there should separate from every division of them a group to obtain understanding in the religion and to warn their people when they return to them that they might be cautious. Surat At-Tawba 9:122 Therefore, the jihad against the soul must be practiced by all of us on a daily basis. We must struggle to purify our hearts from all spiritual diseases that lead to transgression and sin, for only in this way can our external struggles be made just and upright. Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best. *May Allah aid us to purify our hearts through HIS commandments and protect us from any sinful acts*. Aameen.