Imam Ali's Sermon from the Formalists point of view

This article contains an aesthetic analysis of Imam Ali’s Sermon “Welayah”, using the views of the Formalists such as Roman Jakobson and Viktor Shhlovsky. The Formalists believe that it is the “Form” that creates the meaning. In this article, the concept and content of the Imam’s sermon is studied, considering the structural, phonological and lexical features along with its figurative language with regard to its whole form and structure leading to a deep concept which can only be appreciated through a formalistic study. The structure of this sermon is fully established on the opposition between the pious and the wicked, truth and false, virtue and doubt, peace and riot and going back to early Islam, from the beginning to the end of Imam’s Caliphate. In his profound thoughts and views, Imam Ali predicted confusion and confrontation. He expressed it in a sublime language, firm tone, deep affection, awesome and involving rhythm and creative imagination.