Associate Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
10.22084/nahj.2025.30621.3164
Abstract
Taṣḥīf in narrations is among the textual afflictions that have affected certain ḥadīths. Such corruption at times disrupts the accurate understanding of reports and hinders the comprehension of their text and intent. Hence, one of the most important domains in ḥadīth studies is the identification of taṣḥīf and its rectification. Employing early and authoritative sources is among the most effective methods in this endeavor. Nahj al-Balāgha, beyond possessing this quality, serves as a reliable source in detecting corruptions in the transmitted words of Amīr al-Mu’minīn (ʿa), due to the precision and mastery of its compiler al-Sharīf al-Raḍī, and his deep familiarity with the subtle eloquence of Imām ʿAlī (ʿa). The present study, employing the library method and through a comparative analysis, seeks to answer the question: What role does Nahj al-Balāgha play in identifying verbal taṣḥīf in Shi‘i ḥadīths? The findings indicate that such corruptions appear on three levels: letters, words, and sentences. Among these, letter-level taṣḥīf is the most frequent. Letter-level taṣḥīf occurs in four forms: (1) dot-related confusion, (2) similarity of letter skeletons, (3) phonetic similarity, and (4) addition of extra letters. Although works such as al-Kāfī and Tuḥaf al-ʿUqūl were compiled before Nahj al-Balāgha, the comparative examples demonstrate that word forms in Nahj al-Balāgha are often preserved with greater precision. In the process of identifying taṣḥīf, supporting evidence was sought not only from Nahj al-Balāgha but also from other corroborative indicators: recourse to earlier ḥadīth sources, contextual analysis, reference to lexicons, application of grammatical principles, and consultation with prominent commentators and ḥadīth scholars.
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Mohammad-Jafari, R. (2024). The Role of Nahj al-Balāgha in Identifying Scribal/Verbal Corruptions (Taṣḥīf) in Shi‘i Narrations. Quarterly Journal of Nahj al-Balagha Research, 12(47), 1-26. doi: 10.22084/nahj.2025.30621.3164
MLA
Mohammad-Jafari, R. . "The Role of Nahj al-Balāgha in Identifying Scribal/Verbal Corruptions (Taṣḥīf) in Shi‘i Narrations", Quarterly Journal of Nahj al-Balagha Research, 12, 47, 2024, 1-26. doi: 10.22084/nahj.2025.30621.3164
HARVARD
Mohammad-Jafari, R. (2024). 'The Role of Nahj al-Balāgha in Identifying Scribal/Verbal Corruptions (Taṣḥīf) in Shi‘i Narrations', Quarterly Journal of Nahj al-Balagha Research, 12(47), pp. 1-26. doi: 10.22084/nahj.2025.30621.3164
CHICAGO
R. Mohammad-Jafari, "The Role of Nahj al-Balāgha in Identifying Scribal/Verbal Corruptions (Taṣḥīf) in Shi‘i Narrations," Quarterly Journal of Nahj al-Balagha Research, 12 47 (2024): 1-26, doi: 10.22084/nahj.2025.30621.3164
VANCOUVER
Mohammad-Jafari, R. The Role of Nahj al-Balāgha in Identifying Scribal/Verbal Corruptions (Taṣḥīf) in Shi‘i Narrations. Quarterly Journal of Nahj al-Balagha Research, 2024; 12(47): 1-26. doi: 10.22084/nahj.2025.30621.3164
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