The First Realm of Politics in Nahj al-Balagha: The Lifeworld of Ignorance (Jāhiliyya)

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Associate Professor,Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought, Tehran, Iran.

10.22081/psq.2024.68495.2877

Abstract

In Nahj al-Balagha, the compilation of Imam ʿAli’s sayings, there is discussion of seven types of politics corresponding to seven historical epochs. By employing the term “seven realms” mentioned in sermon 224, this study explores the lifeworld of the pre-Islamic period, commonly known as the period of ignorance (jāhiliyya), as the initial realm of politics in Nahj al-Balagha. The primary aim is to comprehend and elucidate the various facets of the political lifeworld during that era. Pursuing this objective through the lens of Imam ʿAli’s perspective on the nature of “ignorance” leads to a fresh interpretation of the lifeworld of ignorance. This study distinguishes itself from others by analyzing within the theoretical framework of ignorance in Medinan verses of the Quran and employing the method of interrogative interpretation based on Imam ʿAli’s remarks in Nahj al-Balagha. To accomplish its aims, this study centers on a key question, resulting in five novel contributions. The first contribution is the argument that, according to Imam ʿAli, “ignorance” is not merely a label for a historical period spanning from the time of Jesus to the beginning of Prophet Muhammad’s mission, but rather a characterization of a specific lifestyle and political lifeworld, prominently manifested during that period. The second contribution lies in the identification of “nonrationality” as the central aspect of ignorance politics in Nahj al-Balagha, leading to the third contribution of delineating four major characteristics: corruption of innate human nature, rejection of revelation, detachment from morality, and submission to tyrants. The fourth contribution involves framing the study in Quranic terms, such as “notions of ignorance,” “bigotry of ignorance,” “judgment of ignorance,” and “display of ignorance,” which facilitates the identification of four layers: ignorance politics of misguidance, political rule of ignorance, political tendencies of ignorance, and political behavior of ignorance.

Keywords

References

  1. * Holy Quran

    * Nahj al-Balagha

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