The significance of the Context of Issuance in the Sermons of Nahj-ul-Balagha based upon Social Ethics

The context of issuing hadiths (traditions) refers to the cultural, political and social conditions of the society at the time of narration, and considering that a significant part of the traditions of the infallible Imams are based upon the needs of individuals or society of their time, coming to terms with the reason for their statements has a huge role in understanding their discourse. In the meantime, sermons will be more important in this case because they are based upon the requirements of the time and the thoughts of theologians. This research uses a descriptive-analytical approach and a library collection method to examine the reasons for the general issuance of sermons on the social ethics of the Islamic society in Nahj-ul-Balagha and based on the analysis of the text of sermons and the history and manners of Imam Ali has examined the reason for issuing sermons. The findings of the research indicate that Imam Ali in his sermons paid more attention to four central issues. The revival of morals and thoughts of the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah), including ethnic and tribal prejudices, worldliness and ignorance of death and the hereafter by the people, forgetting the role and position of the Ahl al-Bayt in Islamic society and expressing the social morality of rulers and people are the four main axes in sermons. Also, based upon the needs of the society and the prevailing moral and social atmosphere, Imam Ali, in order to rectify and modify these components and guide the people on each of the above-mentioned issues, included special speeches in his sermons. The statistical community of each of the components in Nahj-ul-Balagha as a clear example of the words of the Amir al-Mu’minin can be considered an apt sign for the extent of his tribute to them.