Metaphorical analysis of the envy in the narrations of the Infallibles (pbuh)

Before the rise of cognitive linguistics, the metaphor was simply a literary device, especially in poetry. Over time, cognitive studies on ‌ metaphors have transformed this traditional view. This study, after introducing the cognitive approach to metaphor, explores narrations and hadiths quoted from the Holy Prophet and Shiite Imams (as) as well as the metaphorical language used to describe the feeling of envy as one of the subjective aspects of human existence. Accordingly, the present study aims to examine whether metaphor has been employed as a tool to facilitate the understanding of religious contexts and if so, to what extent it has been successful in conveying concepts associated with the feeling of envy. Moreover, it seeks to shed light on the origins of this feeling and subjective concepts for which metaphor is employed to deepen the understanding. For this purpose, authentic Shiite works have been investigated and analyzed based on Lakoff’s theories on cognitive metaphors. The results suggest that metaphors have been utilized in 60% of the hadiths on envy and the domains identified in these cognitive metaphors are subtly indicative of the characteristics and ramifications of envy. These metaphors are structured coherently in keeping with the desired teachings and concepts.