Applying of Fairclough Critical Discourse Analysis Method in Imam Ja'far Sādiq's Debate with Amr Ibn Ubayd Mu'tazilī

During the lifetime of Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s), theological debates and discussions were carried out quite often on various Islamic topics. Imam confronted with different thoughts of his era e.g. Zanadiqa and Mu'tazila. One of his debates was with Amr Ibn Ubayd Mo'tazili on the topic of imāmah. Thus, the present inquiry seeks to review the debate in the light of Norman Fairclough's interdisciplinary approach to critical discourse analysis. Classifying the debate's subjects based on the conditional context, I analyzed the points that imply aims and functions. The CDA findings reveal that Imam Sadiq's discourse is to clarify and Itnāb. In this debate, the main aim of Amr Ibn Ubayd is to bay'ah to Al-Nafs al-Zakiyyah (the oath of allegiance to the Pure Soul). Imam Sadiq (a.s) did not judge his view individually, but he criticized the origins of Amr Ibn Ubayd's thoughts on governing an Islamic society and indirectly showed they are not qualified to be employed in assigning a leader or caliph. Imam's main ideology is that Islamic governing rules are based on the Quranic verses and prophet's sunna. And these two principles are the prominent scales for choosing someone to be granted the caliphate. During the argument, Imam asked questions about the main features of a caliph by which he would abide, including the knowledge of economics, to practice justice, and effective management