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The Golden Rule and the Role of ʿAlawī Ethical Conduct in Its Authenticity and Practicality: A Case Study of Letter 31 of Nahj al-Balāghah
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Mahmoud Vaezi1   , Elaheh Ahmadi |
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Abstract: (15 Views) |
| The ethical Golden Rule, which emphasizes reciprocal conduct, has long been regarded as one of the universal moral principles governing social relations. A reexamination of Imam ʿAlī’s moral conduct—particularly as reflected in Letter 31 of Nahj al-Balāghah—reveals that although the Golden Rule occupies a prominent place in this text, its interaction with other virtues and ethical principles contributes to a more comprehensive formulation of ʿAlawī ethics. Employing a descriptive–analytical method and drawing upon extensive library sources, this study first conducts a comparative review of the Golden Rule’s expressions within the traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and several humanistic schools of thought. It then analyzes how Imam ʿAlī’s ethical system, while maintaining fidelity to the Golden Rule, expands it through three core dimensions: self-purification (self-cultivation), God-centeredness, and other-centeredness. Moreover, the ethical richness of Nahj al-Balāghah is further deepened through a range of interrelated concepts such as piety (taqwā), asceticism (zuhd), trust in God (tawakkul), supplication (duʿāʾ), dignity of the soul, moderation, advice receptivity, and moral reflection. The study concludes that Nahj al-Balāghah presents a holistic ethical model that both preserves and enhances the authenticity and applicability of the Golden Rule within a broader moral framework. This synthesis renders the text a valuable source for contemporary debates in moral philosophy and interfaith ethical discourse. |
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| Keywords: Golden Rule, Nahj al-Balāghah, Moral Principles, Self-Purification, God-Centeredness. Other-Centeredness. |
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Full-Text [PDF 429 kb]
(15 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/11/15 | Accepted: 2025/11/15 | Published: 2025/11/15
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