How can we reconcile the hadith "I do not find it" (in response to a request for work that is considered equivalent to jihad) and the hadith "The one who strives for the sake of the widow and the poor is like the one who strives in the way of Allah"?

There is no contradiction between the hadiths, for likening the one who strives for the widow and the needy to a mujahid does not imply equivalence in every respect. Rather, it indicates the greatness of their reward due to the widespread benefit and expenditure of wealth involved. Scholars have addressed the problem of preferring other deeds over jihad by stating that:

1. The first hadith is general and has been specified by the second hadith, which indicates that nothing equals jihad.

2. The superiority of deeds varies according to individuals and their circumstances, so what suits one person may not suit another (such as preferring charity for those unable to participate in jihad, or dhikr for the coward, and jihad for the courageous).

In summary, the first hadith is from the category of general statements that have been specified, or that deeds vary in merit according to the doers.