A Stylistic Analysis of the Will of Imam Ali (AS)

Stylistics as a new method of text analysis explores the overall structure of texts. An author’s use of repetition as well as other linguistic and literary elements is among the most prominent stylistic features intended to create an effective expression. Since The Nahj al-Balaghah is one of the most important religious books, and has a great literary value, it has always attracted the attention of literary scholars. Using an analytic-descriptive method and focusing on important descriptive stylistic levels, i.e. phonological, semantic, syntactic, the present study aims at analyzing the will of Imam Ali (a.s.), which is in the form of the 31st letter addressed to Imam Hassan (a.s.). The internal music that appears in the form of rhyme and repetition is a major component of this letter. Moreover, the careful choice of words and the use of ‘alifmadda’ has added to the musical value of the letter. Additionally, these quence of synonyms and the frequent use of pronouns has created a coherent and cohesive text.