Introduction to the Nahj al-Balaghah Foundation
Introduction to the Nahj al-Balaghah Foundation
Introduction to the Nahj al-Balaghah Foundation: The Nahj al-Balaghah Foundation, as a centre for research and study of the principles of the invaluable book Nahj al- Balaghah (Highway of Eloquence), began its activities in 1976, at the proposal of ‘Allamah ‘Abd al-Husayn Amini (author of the monumental work al-Ghadir), with the aim of carrying out research on the narrations, history and life of Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (a). In view of the society’s strong necessity for Islamic culture and education, and the tendency of the young generation during that decade to get acquainted with Islamic teachings and religious sources, the Foundation began its cultural and scientific programs with the efforts of Hujjat al-lslam wal-Muslimin Dinparvar and the cooperation of personalities such as martyr Shaheed Ayatullah Murtaza Mutahhari, Shaheed Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Beheshti, and the late ‘Allamah Muhammad Taqi Ja’fari.
However, compared to the situation in the initial years of its establishment, the activities of the Foundation considerably improved after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, and today it covers many related fields. The Foundation’s scientific activities have been mainly carried out in the fields of publishing books, holding annual seminars, establishing the Nahj al-Balaghah Correspondence School, preparing the ‘Alawi Encyclopaedia, founding the Nahj al-Balaghah Specialised Library, publishing thesis written by university students, and the inauguration of the Academy of Nahj al-Balaghah Sciences.
Publication of Books
The Foundation, with the cooperation of researchers and scholars of theology schools and universities, has published more than 140 book titles in connection with different issues related to the personality and characteristics of Imam ‘Ali ( ‘a) and Nahj al- Balaghah, in line with introducing the Imam’s personality. These books are mainly in the Persian, Arabic, and Urdu languages.
1. Books in Persian that have been written and compiled by the Foundation’s writers and editors.
2. Books in Arabic, including the publication of Bahj al- Sabaghah fi Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah, written by ‘Allamah Shaykh Muhammad Taqi Shushtari. This book has been researched and published in fourteen volumes by the Foundation’s scientific board
3. Books in English, including the translation of Imam ‘Ali’s ( ‘a) famous epistle to his governor of Egypt, Malik Ashtar.
4. Books in Urdu, including a series of twelve books that are being taught as part of the correspondence course.
In addition, the Foundation has translated and published the Maxims of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) in 14 of the world’s prominent languages.
Scientific Congresses
The holding of scientific and research congresses in different fields related to Nahj al-Balaghah and the personality of Imam ‘AH (A.S.) are among the most important achievements of the Foundation. Up to now, fourteen congresses have been held, the first one being the World Nahj al-Balaghah Millennium Congress held in the year 1981/1401. In these congresses, domestic and foreign professors and researchers present articles and deliver speeches, introducing the teachings of Imam ‘Ali (‘a), the results of which, in addition to all the discussions brought up in the specialised commissions, have been compiled in a book.
It is noteworthy that at the beginning of each congress, different subjects related to Nahj al-Balaghah and Imam ‘Ali’s ( ‘a) personality are brought up and discussed. However, from the 6th Congress onwards, a specific issue has been designated as the main topic of the congress. The congress is held each year on the 13th of Rajab, marking the auspicious birth anniversary of the Epitome of Justice and Piety, Imam ‘Ali (‘a). The titles and years in which these congresses were held are as follows:
1. The World Millennium Congress on Nahj al-Balaghah, 1401/1981.
2. The World Congress on Nahj al-Balaghah, 1402/1982.
3. The Congress on Nahj al-Balaghah, 1403/1983.
4. The Congress on Principles and Modes of Islamic Government in Nahj al-Balaghah, 1404/1984.
5. The World Congress on Principles and Modes of Islamic Government in Nahj al-Balaghah, 1405/1985.
6. The World Congress on Sharif Razi, 1406/1986.
7. The Congress on Islamic Administration, 1407/1987
8. The Congress on Islamic Administration, 1408/1988
9. The Congress on Islamic Leadership in Nahj al-Balaghah
10. The Congress on Islamic Government in Nahj al- Balaghah
11. The Congress on Nahj al-Balaghah
12. The Congress on Imam ‘Ali (A.S.), Gnosis and Justice,
1419/1998
13. The Congress on Youth and Nahj al-Balaghah 1420/1999.
14. The Congress on the Image of Governors in Nahj al Balaghah, 1421/2000.
The Nahj al-Balaghah Correspondence School
Since its establishment in the year 1987, the Nahj al- Balaghah Correspondence School has up to now taught four thousand students the teachings of this unique book. In line with helping the young generation to benefit the utmost from religious and ideological teachings, this section has compiled twelve discussions, within the framework of simple and eloquent texts from Nahj al-Balaghah, for the convenience of students, researchers and all others who are interested. At the end of each course an examination is held through correspondence and a certificate is given to the students who participate. The series of discussions which have been prepared exclusively from Nahj al’ Balaghah, have up to now been translated into Persian and Urdu. The topics of this series are as follows:
1. The Source of Existence (Theology- the Need for Intellectual Development)
2. The Source of Existence (A Correct Understanding of the Meaning of Existence)
3. The Source of Existence (Love and the Worship of Allah)
4. The Source of Existence (The Proper Political System)
5. Bi’that and Prophethood (The Grounds of Bi ‘that)
6. Bi’that and Prophethood (Bi’that and the Healthy System)
7. Bi’that and Prophethood (Revelation on the Source of Thought and Legislation)
8. Ethics and the Prophet’s Sirah
9. The Need for Leadership
10. The Imamate of Imam ‘Ali (‘a)
11. The Day of Resurrection
12. The Social Effects of Belief in the Resurrection
The ‘Alawi Encyclopaedia and Nahj al’Balaghah
The compilation of the ‘Alawi Encyclopaedia is one of most valuable activities that are being carried out by Nahj al-Balaghah Foundation. It is the result of years of efforts and research in the field of collecting and compiling the narrations of the Infallible Imams (A.S.) and the sources of Nahj al-Balaghah. The compilation of these narrations, the greater part of which has been accomplished, is being continuously followed up. But, due to its wide scope, the project has not yet been finished. It is hoped that this encyclopaedia, whose narrations and topics have been classified according to the issues they deal with, would soon be placed at the disposal of all those interested, both in the form of a book and CD.
The Nahj al-Balaghah Specialised Library
This specialised library with more than four thousand book titles relating to Nahj al-Balaghah, narrations and books written about Imam ‘Ali (A.S.), is considered one of the most important libraries in connection with Imam ‘Ali (A.S.) and Nahj al’Balaghah. Mainly university students and all other interested persons use this library.
Publication of University Students’ Theses
Another one of the Foundation’s activities is giving support and guiding the university students whose theses at the end of their studies to obtain their Masters’ degree were related to Nahj al- Balaghah. The Foundation has formed a scientific board, with addition, the board introduces consultants and guide professors to scientific qualities are then
published at the Foundations’ expenses and put at the disposal of those interested in acquiring knowledge.
Academy of Nahj al-Balaghah Sciences
One of the basic measures being followed up by the Foundation is the establishment of an academy of Sciences as mentioned in Nahj al-Balaghah. The Foundation’s officials believe that, wider and deeper research should be carried out on the eloquence and wisdom of this unique book which has unanimously been hailed as above the words of man and next only to the Revealed Word of Allah, the Holy Qur’an, so as to properly respond to the society’s ideological and spiritual demands. In this direction, the proposal to establish such a faculty and accept students for Masters Degree, was presented to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatullah Sayyid ‘Ali Khamene’i, who approved the project. He suggested that the Academy carry out its activities as an institution affiliated to the University of the Ahl al- Bayt World Assembly (AWA).
Thus, the preliminaries were carried out and the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology issued the required authorisation. The compilation of the books and subjects to be studied is going through the final stages and it is hoped that students will be accepted at the beginning of the next academic year. It seems that with the beginning of the Academy’s activities, fundamental steps have been taken in line with broadening the scope of research about Nahj al-Balaghah. It is sincerely hoped that the Nahj al-Balaghah Foundation will succeed in reaching its main objective in introducing to the world the ideological and scientific legacy of the Commander of the Faithful and Leader of the Pious, Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib ( ‘a).