A Stylistic Study of Sermon 132 of Nahj al-Balagha according to a Functional Approach

Abstract

This study aims at analyzing a sermon of Nahj al-Balagha with a stylistic approach. This study uses stylistic-related fields such as linguistics, literary criticism and recently discovered data of the mentioned fields in its process.Since Nahj al-Balagha is the word of Imam (peace be upon him) who is the most articulate and his words are those of great eminence and stature, there are plenty of stylistic features to be discovered.All this is most evident when we are approaching Nahg al-Balagha from a stylistic standpoint. An analysis that explores the text on different levels of phonological, inflectional, syntactic, rhetorical and mental details with meticulous attention to show how the author has managed to persuade his audience and lead them to the path of truth and righteousness in an elevated and dignified manner.