Analysis of the Semantic features of Sleep in the Nahj al-Balagha

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor, Arabic Language and Literature Department, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran. E-mail: mirzaei.m@lu.ac.ir

2 Ph.D. Student, Department of Nahj al-Balagha Sciences and Education, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran. Email: amirahmadazimi@gmail.com

10.30512/kq.2023.20040.3668

Abstract

Sleep is one of the essential aspects of life that must be properly regulated, as it plays a significant role in maintaining physical health and mental well-being. Disturbance of sleep can hinder the normal course of human life. Imam Ali (pbuh) in the Nahj al-Balagha emphasizes sleep as one of the most important phenomena. The present study aims to analyze the semantic features of the word sleep (nawm) in Nahj al-Balagha using a descriptive-analytical method. Semantic features are the elements that characterize concepts in terms of presence or absence with positive (+) or negative (-) attributes. Changes in semantic features occur when a word is used in association with other words. A semantic feature is part of the meaning of a word that has nothing to do with sentences. The analysis of concepts through semantic features is called feature analysis. The results of the study indicate that, in *Nahj al-Balagha, terms such as "al-kari" (drowsiness), "al-sena" (sleepiness), "al-subat" (deep sleep), and "al-madmaḍa" (light sleep) fall within the semantic field of sleep, while words like "al-tahajjud" (night prayer), "al-araqq" (insomnia), "al-ramiq" (vigilance), and "al-yaqza" (wakefulness) have an opposite semantic relationship with it. The semantic features of each of these terms are explained in this study. Additionally, the Nahj al-Balagha discusses two types of sleep, praiseworthy and blameworthy. Imam considers the sleep of the body and eyes praiseworthy, while the sleep of the mind (negligence) is deemed blameworthy.

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Ketab-E-Qayyem
Volume 14, Issue 31
September 2025
Pages 255-274

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History

  • Receive Date: 30 April 2023
  • Revise Date: 20 October 2023
  • Accept Date: 26 October 2023

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