A semantic search on the words "poor" and "rich" in Nahj al-Balaghah Inspired by the semantic method of "Toshihko Izutsu" [In Persian]

Abstract

Semantics is one of the new approaches in the field of linguistics dealing with the explanation of words; This science, as one of the purposeful sciences, has a significant application in the field of Quranic studies and holy texts. In other words, with the help of semantics, the exact meaning of a word and the speaker's intention are clarified. The semantic method of Izutsu (Japanese author) explains and analyzes words at different levels of meaning, semantic relations and concept. Accordingly, the revision and determination of the position of each element and content in the holy texts depends on the study of that word with its companion and reciprocal words in a systematic system and other words of the same order. The two words "poor" and "rich" are among the conceptual and key words of Nahj al-Balaghah being crystallized in various forms in this holy book. The present study, which has analyzed and researched the meaning of the words "poor" and "rich" in a descriptive-analytical method from a lexical point of view and then relying on Izutsu semantics in a vocabulary and confrontation axis, shows that these two words, with their nominal and current functions in the text of Nahj al-Balaghah, are expressed in positive and negative meanings. Most obviously, the opposition of these two words in an axis of companionship, conveys an important message. Accordingly, these two words, in addition to the general meaning that most lexicographers and commentators have provided, have found semantic development in the prolific words of Imam (AS); In other words, in addition to the meaning of material need and needlessness, they have also taken on a spiritual aspect. Another is that these two words have become a criterion for measuring a person's human dignity.

Keywords

• nahj al-balaghah
• izutsu's semantics
• semantic system
• semantic contrast
• poor
• rich