Perfect Worlds in the Sermon of Ashbah; (Analysis of sermon 91 of Nahj al-Balagheh with the approach of Paul Werth’s World Text)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Golafrooz Mohebi ¹

Hossein Navazani ²

¹ Ph.D in Arabic Language and Literature, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/jall.2025.90538.1474

Abstract

Paul Werth’s (1999) text world approach posits that texts are independent worlds with their own rules and internal structures, focusing on the mental structures embedded within them. This methodology aids in comprehending the text’s underlying meaning and message through an analysis of the relationships among its elements, such as characters, locations, and events. Its foundation lies in the three worlds: text, discourse, and subtext. This article employs discourse analysis to examine the structure and meaning of the sermon 91 of Imam Ali (P.B.H.), known as the Sermon of Ashbah. By applying Paul Werth’s concept of discourse worlds, this article addresses the text’s multiple layers of meaning and interconnected concepts, identified by scrutinizing key world-building elements like characters and themes. The core research question is how the text world creation process, within Werth’s framework, generates meaning through harmony among these distinct textual worlds. Furthermore, this paper investigates the interrelationships between these discursive worlds and their contribution to the sermon’s coherence and overarching meaning. Findings reveal a multifaceted text that moves beyond simple religious discourse, offering profound insights into the nature of existence, human purpose, and the divine. The sermon is structured into different discourse worlds primarily centered on existence, creation, and humanity’s place in the world. The human discourse world specifically addresses man’s role in the world, his relationship with God, and his moral obligations, emphasizing free will, faith, worship, and humanity’s ultimate destiny.
 
 

Keywords

Text world

Discursive Worlds

Discourse Analysis

Paul Werth

Sermon 91 of Nahj al-Balagha

Subjects

• Linguistics

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