The Greatness of Nahj Al-Balagha and the Words of Imam Ali from the Perspective of Modern Christian Figures

Abstract

After the words of the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad’s tradition, the words of Imam Ali have in their own right bestowed upon mankind the finest and the most valuable social, political, and religious wisdom. Ever since a millennium when Sharif ar-Razi compiled Nahj al-Balagha using his unique and meticulous selection of Imam Ali’s speeches, letters, aphorisms, this invaluable book has deeply influenced many figures and luminaries among both Shia and Sunni Muslims and non-Muslims, all of whom have embraced and appraised it. In this article, the researchers look into the remarks of twenty one non-Muslim figures on the worth and merits of Nahj al-Balagha. Most of these Christian figures are contemporary Arab poets and thinkers: such individuals as Khalil Farahat, Rocks Bin Zayed Al Uzaizi, Joseph Hashim, and Nasri Salhab to name just a few; however, some orientalists and western thinkers are worth mentioning such as Nursisian and Henry Corbin.