Question Summary:
it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), said to his companions when they returned from a military campaign, “We have come back from the lesser jihaad to the greater jihaad.” …

Question Detail:

it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), said to his companions when they returned from a military campaign, “We have come back from the lesser jihaad to the greater jihaad.” They said, “Is there any greater jihaad than jihaad against the kuffaar?” he said, “Yes, jihaad al-nafs (jihaad against the self).”

is this sahih?

Answer :

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
 
We have not come across this Hadith with its exact wording. However, we have come across a Hadith with similar wording and meaning.  The Hadith is as follows:
" رجعنا من الجهاد الأصغر إلى الجهاد الأكبر، قالوا: وما الجهاد الأكبر؟ قال: جهاد القلب "
We have come back from the lesser jihad to the greater jihaad.”They said, what is the greater jihaad? Nabi S.A.W said: “the jihaad of the heart”. (Bayhaqi)
 
Imam Bayhaqi (R.A) has stated that there is du’f (weakness) in the sanad (chain of narrators) of the above-mentioned narration. Ibn Hajar (R.A) has stated that the above-mentioned narration is the statement of Ibraheem bin Abi Ablah.
 
)رجعنا من الجهاد الأصغر إلى الجهاد الأكبر قالوا وما الجهاد الأكبر قال جهاد القلب) قال الحافظ ابن حجر في تسديد القوس هو مشهور على الألسنة وهو من كلام إبراهيم بن عيلة ، انتهى .قال العراقي رواه البيهقي بسند ضعيف عن جابر
(Ad durar al muntsira,pg 124,maktabatul warraq,riyadh)
(Kashful khafa,pg 1/375, maktabat ahmad al baz,makkah)
(Asrarul marfuu’a, pg 211, maktabah al islami)
 
However, the meaning of this hadith is sahih (authentic), as it explains the importance of controlling ones desires.
And Allah knows best
Wassalaamu `alaykum
Ml. Abdur Rahman Shareef,
Student Darul Iftaa
Concurred by:
Ml. Talha Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah
NOTE : A similar question has been answered in detail by Maulana Muhammad Abasoomer Saheb of Darul Hadeeth, Madrasah Camperdown. Pleasee view it HERE