ألفاظُ الترغيبِ والترهيبِ في كتابِ نَهجِ البَلاغِة درَاسَةٌ دَلاليّةٌ

Words of encouragement and intimidation in a book Nahj al-Balagha) a semantic study

Abstract
We note that the method of enticement and intimidation is one of the Qur’anic methods, which has been mentioned many times in the Holy Qur’an. Thus, the method of enticement is considered one of the important methods of calling to God. Because it is one of the most beneficial methods, and it is what God has prepared for His righteous servants. A person who is not influenced by the method of enticement and its reward must be influenced by the method of intimidation. Therefore, we see that God Almighty has warned against disbelief and promised its people Hell.
We also note that the Messenger of God (may God bless him and his family and grant them peace) followed the example of the Holy Qur’an in using the methods of encouragement and intimidation. The work of the messengers is to give good tidings to those who obey God of the reward that God has prepared for them, and to warn those who disobey God and disbelieve in Him.
The method of enticement and intimidation was also mentioned in the poetry of the Arabs. We see them mentioning in their poems words related to enticement and intimidation, such as faith and polytheism. We also see some poets using the words enticement and intimidation in their poetry.
– Sayyid al-Sharif al-Radi was the one who compiled the book Nahj al-Balagha, according to the testimony of a large number of scholars and researchers, and that Nahj al-Balagha, with all the sermons, covenants, and letters it contains, goes back to Imam Ali (peace be upon him), as evidenced by all the sources and chains of transmission that we have provided.
The importance of this book is evident in the studies and explanations that have exceeded two hundred, some of which are in Arabic and in other languages, but only a few of them have reached us.
At the level of direct words indicating enticement and intimidation:
– The research dealt with the direct words of encouragement in Nahj al-Balagha and found that the words indicating the meaning of encouragement are very numerous, especially in his various sermons. He often used the verb (desire) coupled with the preposition, in order to emphasize the significance of encouragement in a way that is commensurate with the topic of the sermon and the context in which the verb appears. The verb (desire) also acquired different connotations depending on the context in which it was mentioned. The same verb is sometimes used in the past tense and other times in the present tense, and each of them has a moral depth that differs from the other. It was mentioned in the context of the command (desire), which makes its speech general and comprehensive, so the meaning becomes stronger and more eloquent. Because the style of the command carries a strong tone and the necessity of acting according to its content.
The direct words of encouragement came in the context of urging people to adhere to the pillars of their religion, such as monotheism, jihad, prayer, zakat, fasting, Hajj, enjoining good, following the example of the Prophet, may God bless him and his family, learning the Qur’an, and other things that urge the Imam (peace be upon him) on the necessity of doing it and being steadfast in achieving it.
– The Imam (peace be upon him) used the derivatives of the verb (ragab), and the active participle (ragab) because it is more proven, more eloquent, and deeper in meaning than the verb. The other derivatives (al-raghaib, al-raghiba) also conveyed the meaning of multiplication, generality, and exaggeration of the purposes that the Imam urged.
– The Imam used other verbs to indicate the meanings of encouragement, including (Badr) and the forms derived from it that are appropriate for different positions, the verb (he recommended) and the verbs and nouns that branch off from this root, the root (misk) and its derivatives, and the root ( obliged, saw, loved, covenanted, emulated, and imposed), so the Imam (peace be upon him) used the previous roots in different situations and places, and what became clear from the research was that the verb (desire) and its various forms were the most influential and had the deepest impact in expressing encouragement, and it was used exclusively. In situations that do not tolerate compromise or trade-off, it was the basis from which everything that followed in the research emerged.
In terms that indicate intimidation, the research found that the root (rahab) and what is derived from it are melted in the crucible of intimidation and intimidation regarding serious matters, especially the punishment of God Almighty. Punishment in the context of intimidation is not linked to a specific time or place, but rather is for every time and place.
– The Imam used the root (beware, beware, avoid, fear, reject, warn, refuse, fear, and fear), so most of the intimidating words came from abandoning the desires and pleasures of this world and looking forward to the afterlife and the bliss and happiness it contains.
At the level of inaccurate words that indicate enticement and intimidation:
– The research presented non-explicit expressions that indicate encouragement and found that there was a large part of the speeches in which the encouragement came without the use of explicit words that directly indicate the meaning. Rather, certain connotations were used through which the words indicated an indirect or non-explicit indication of the meaning of the encouragement. The non-explicit words indicating the command verb gave the text a pleasant musical atmosphere, giving the word great power and significance for expression and suggestion. The Imam’s use of the command verb gave the text great motivation, sometimes in urging jihad and explaining its virtue, and at other times indicating good interaction with people, and third times in places. Praise and need to do.
– As for the non-explicit words indicating negation, they are manifested by (no, non-negative, non-functional), and he also uses words with a clear and explicit indication of the stability, truth, and permanence of this act, namely (witness, truthful, silent, and speaking), which clearly indicates stability and permanence. To convey its meanings to his flock, and whoever listens to his honorable sermons, he may use the method of negation with the noun indicating negation (other), then he adds it sympathetically to it with the letter of negation (la), as well as the method of emphasis with (that) with the active participle indicating steadfastness, permanence, and continuity. This is reinforced and strengthened. For the context of the sentence or text to be encouraged, in addition to that, he emphasized the importance of encouraging it, and even increased its importance even more when he made the style of the sentence based on negation, intended to overturn and demolish everything else.
– With regard to non-explicit expressions that indicate a call to prayer: we see Imam Ali’s encouragement to believers in the necessity of fearing God and obeying Him. Employing the method of appeal supported by graphic images, the building is as meaningful as it is.
– And in the non-explicit expressions indicating astonishment (what I do and what I do to him and auditory exclamation): we notice an abstraction from the context of the sermon in which it was mentioned, so it becomes absolute for every human being in every corner of the earth, and astonishment and greatness flow through it in the present and future times at the same pace as it did. In the ancient past, because it is a rebuke and ringing in a person’s ear to fulfill rights and duties, not to abandon his brother and his fellow countrymen, and not to be arrogant and arrogant, because it is the work of Satan.