Truth of Asceticism, Its Principles and Signs in Nahj al-Balaghah

In Nahj al-Balaghah, asceticism and ascetic life are highly praised and recommended. Understanding the concept of 'asceticism' to reach a logical definition and prevent any fallacies and intellectual deviations around asceticism is considered a basic need. So, identifying the factors influencing the creation of asceticism and its related effects must be adorned with this virtue. This article aims to deal with this issue analytically and refer to related sources. Accordingly, while doing a conceptual analysis, the author examined the definition of asceticism intended by the commentators of Nahj al-Balaghah. Then, he checked the degree of harmony of this definition with what was stated in the words of Imam (AS) and Nahj al-Balaghah. The research findings show that 'asceticism' means reluctance and practical abandonment of anything that prevents reaching the goal (God's nearness and afterlife blessings). In this case, asceticism does not mean avoiding the world of existence and not benefiting from material gifts. Living in the world of existence is a means and a prelude to obtaining eternal happiness (ultimate goal) and has a preliminary value. Considering the 'means' as the 'goal' of the world is reprehensible and hinders achieving the goal and should be avoided. It is worth mentioning that according to the depth of human knowledge about such a vision, a level of asceticism is achieved in him in such a way that he finds its moral and practical effects in himself.