A Study of the Representation of Justice and the Critique of Governmental Power in Letter 45 of Nahj al-Balagha Based on Norman Fairclough\'s Critical Discourse Analysis [In Persian]

This study applies Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework to explore the representation of justice and the critique of governmental power in Letter 45 of Nahj al-Balagha, authored by Imam Ali (AS) and addressed to Uthman ibn Hunayf, the governor of Basra. Nahj al-Balagha, a seminal Islamic text compiling Imam Ali’s sermons, letters, and sayings, is celebrated for its profound ethical, political, and social insights. Letter 45 stands out for its critique of a governmental official’s conduct and its advocacy for simplicity and justice, making it an exemplary case for analyzing Imam Ali’s critical discourse. The research addresses two key questions: 1) How are justice and the critique of power articulated through linguistic styles in Letter 45, as per Fairclough’s descriptive level of CDA? 2) How does the interplay of language, society, and power manifest in the letter through Fairclough’s three-tiered analytical framework? The methodology employs Fairclough’s three-dimensional model, encompassing description (textual analysis), interpretation (discourse production and reception), and explanation (socio-historical context). At the descriptive level, the analysis focuses on linguistic features, including value-laden vocabulary such as taqwa (piety), justice, and asceticism, alongside imperative and interrogative syntactic structures, and rhetorical devices like metaphors, parallelism (saj), and antithesis. These elements frame justice as a divine and actionable principle while condemning official misconduct. For instance, metaphors likening the world to a “bitter acorn” underscore the transience of material wealth, reinforcing the call for simplicity. At the interpretive level, the study situates the letter within the socio-historical context of Imam Ali’s caliphate (35–40 AH), a period marked by class disparities, aristocratic influence, and administrative corruption. The letter’s multifaceted tone—authoritative, advisory, and emotive—directly addresses Uthman ibn Hunayf while implicitly engaging the broader Islamic community, urging adherence to justice and accountability. At the explanatory level, Letter 45 is examined as a social act that promotes a justice-oriented discourse, challenging the hegemonic structures of aristocracy and corruption prevalent in Basra. By redefining officials as public servants, the letter fosters social cohesion and bolsters the legitimacy of Imam Ali’s governance.The findings reveal that Letter 45 employs sophisticated linguistic and discursive strategies to advocate justice and critique power. Religious lexicon, rhetorical questions, and contrasting imagery (e.g., “needy versus affluent”) expose social inequalities and critique corrupt practices, while the authoritative tone underscores accountability. The letter’s ideological impact, achieved by intertwining religious and governance principles, counters materialistic hegemony and promotes a cohesive, justice-driven society. Its relevance extends to contemporary challenges, such as economic inequality, governmental transparency, and accountability, offering a timeless model for political reform. By addressing the scarcity of independent analyses of Letter 45, this study deepens the understanding of Nahj al-Balagha’s enduring values and their applicability to modern political discourse. Future research could explore comparative analyses of other letters in Nahj al-Balagha or examine contemporary discourses inspired by Ali’s justice-oriented framework