منهجية نقد نصوص نهج البلاغة (الخطب التوحيدية نموذجًا)

Methodology of Critique of Nahj-ul-Balagha: A Case Study of Monotheism Sermons

One of the main goals of the critique of old texts, which is the basis of studies in different religions, is to find the author and owner of the text. Nahj-ul-Balagha is a book whose historical identity has long been the target of Shiite and Sunni critique. This research explores the critique methodology of this text. The method of criticizing the text of Nahj-ul-Balagha, due to its unique characteristics, can be presented in three general stages of narrative critique (redaction criticism), critique of the sources and documents (source criticism), and critique of the style (form criticism). However, only the outcome of these three stages and their aggregation can be considered a real and reliable critique of the text. Regarding the monotheistic sermons, although each of the stages of the critique of the text has a different consequence, combination of these stages admit the truthfulness of the attribution of these sermons to Imam Ali (PBUH). Eliminating the drawbacks, such as single-stage perspective, unfounded criticism, repetition of previous claims, disregarding the possibilities of meaning, and reducing historical critique to traditional one will improve the method of criticizing the text. Using analytical method and considering the historical critique of sacred books, the present study attempts to provide a suitable and comprehensive model for criticizing the text of Nahj-ul-Balagha.