Purification of carnal soul or the greater warfare

Calling purification of carnal soul as" the greater warfare" suffices for its importance, and this interpretation is derived from the famous tradition in which Prophet S. A. told to the warriors of his companions after returning from one of the battles:.

«مَرْحَباً بِقَوْمٍ قَضَوُا الْجِهادَ الْاصْغَرَ وَ بَقِيَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْجِهادُ الْاكْبَرُ. فَقِيلَ: يا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا الْجِهادُ الْاكْبَرُ؟ قالَ: جِهادُ النَّفْسِ» ..

Bravo to the crowd who performed lesser warfare and thegreater warfare is still left undone. They told: what is the greater warfare? He answered: warfare and conflict with rebellious sensual desires.. [1]

This phrase too is narrated from the Prophet following thistradition:

«انَّ افْضَلَ الْجِهادِ مَنْ جاهَدَ نَفْسَهُ الَّتِي بَيْنَ جَنْبَيْهِ».

The highest warfare is warfare with rebellious desires, whichare inside man's chest.. [2]

This statement can explain Islam's logic in this critical issueand after studying and reviewing, following facts are found out thereof:

1- There are always antagonistic powers in man like abattlefield, and destiny of man depends on the dominance of oneof these two parts of powers.

2- This warfare is called" the greater warfare" since it is aneternal and unceasing one. Moreover, an internal battle isalways more dangerous than an external battle, and moreimportant, defeat in this warfare has no result save misery and

[1]HorreAmeli ,VassaeloShiite ,221 /11 ,narration 1

[2]Thesamebook ,321 ,narration 9