The Semantic Model of the Concept of “Certainty” in Nahj al-Balagha: A Focus on Collocation and Substitution Relationships

The word yaqīn (certainty) is key to epistemological discussions in Nahj al-Balagha, where the word and its cognates appear thirty one times. The analysis of the semantic network of “certainty” has an effective role in understanding Imam ʿAli's (a) stance toward epistemology. In the present study, a descriptive-analytical method is adopted to identify the semantic model of “certainty” in Nahj al-Balagha. After a clarification of the conceptual meaning of the word “certainty,” a simultaneous analysis of the content of Nahj al-Balagha is performed at two levels: collocation and substitution. Through this process of text comprehension, a semantic model of certainty is introduced. In light of this model, it becomes evident that certainty is hierarchical. At the primary level, certainty accompanies faith, and at higher levels, it intensifies faith to the highest levels.