The Causes of Perversion and the Way of Controlling It in Nahj al-Balagheh

It is evident that observing the religious and social norms often leads to more order in different affairs of life and the development of the society، especially in its scientific، cultural and economic institutions. Every society or group has its special principles، laws، customs and conventions to maintain relationships among each other and to exercise their individual and social affairs، which they call “norms”. Knowing the norms and perversions and their related subjects، including the reasons of violating the norms (perversion) can be effective in controlling perversion and preserving and enforcing the values and useful norms. Many of the speeches of Ali، peace be upon him، in Nahj al-Balagheh contain social subjects and questions. Moreover، the subjects of this book display the way Ali followed to maintain divine laws and rules and the way he dealt with social norms and perversion. Therefore، in this article after a brief explanation of norms and the reasons why they must be followed، the view of Nahj al-Balagheh on some reasons which in sociology considered to be the cause of violation of norms are discussed. Among these the most important causes، namely the absence of norms، ignorance and not knowing their benefits are discussed. Ignoring the principles of correct education and not being ready for changes and crises are also some of these reasons.