HAPPINESS IN IMAM ALI'S VIEW; AN ETYMOLOGICAL STUDY IN NAHJ AL-BALAGHAH

Without doubt، «happiness and salvation» is one of the old and fundamental problems of human being; many schools of thought paid attention to this question. Study of religious texts and quotes of religious leaders on this concept، can affect on personal lifestyle and even the overall direction and policy of society. This paper is looking for focus on areas of application of «sa''adah» derivatives in Nahj Al-balaghah in order to understand Imam Ali''s view on happiness. Subject to these derivatives، this paper categorizes areas of applications and identifies receiver، donor and nature of happiness، and discusses earthly bliss and eternal salvation، and relationship between happiness and moral، religious، and epistemic affairs; also pays attention to requirements and implications of this discussion for political affairs.