Metaphorical Explanation of the Governance and Statecraft Method in Nahjolbalagheh

In the Holy Qur’an and Nahj al-Balaghah, diverse discussions about governance and statecraft are presented. In the Qur’anic perspective, governance is sometimes addressed directly and at other times metaphorically, portraying divine governance as the best approach to managing society while rejecting non-divine forms of government. Imam Ali (AS) also addresses issues related to governance in his sermons and letters through metaphorical expressions. These metaphors are not only used to clarify complex concepts but also serve as a tool to convey precise ideas of governance and to present an Islamic model of statecraft. This study, employing a thematic research method and a metaphorical reasoning strategy, examines and explains the metaphors found in Nahj al-Balaghah and extracts an Islamic governance model from Imam Ali's (AS) perspective. The results of this research demonstrate that Imam Ali (AS), in describing methods of governance, employs metaphors that not only explain the responsibilities of the ruler and society but also provide a comprehensive depiction of the interaction between them. The metaphors used in Nahj al-Balaghah, besides facilitating the interpretation of verses related to governance, reflect the depth of Imam Ali’s (AS) perspective on governmental and social matters. By analyzing these metaphors, this research offers an Islamic governance model that can serve as a theoretical foundation for Islamic governance studies.