Analyzing the Educated Dimensions of Malik Ashtar’s Personality in Nahj al-Balagha as a Model Governor and Ruler

Abstract

Malik Ashtar is a personage educated based on the educational doctrines of Islam in Nahj al-Balagha. The way he was educated led to his selection as one of the governors and rulers during the Imamate (leadership) of Imam Ali (A.S.). Accordingly, this study aimed at identifying the componenets of his educated personality in various dimensions (physical, religious, moral, political, economic, social, intellectual, and emotional). To this end, we used content analysis and semantic network. According to this method, the propositions and themes related to Malik Ashtar’s personality dimensions in Nahj al-Balagha and related historical books were first identified and coded and then analyzed. The research results indicated that Malik Ashtar was educated in various educational dimensions including enjoying physical strength and health, having spiritual beliefs, commitment to righteous deeds and moral virtues, struggling with oppression, doing justice, and making effort to have unity and strength of government, paying attention to people’s material welfare, cooperation and assistance, intellectualism, recognition and insight, affection and loving, and moderation. This can be an inspiration for educating competent rulers and governors in the Islamic society of Iran.

Keywords

• nahj al-balagha
• being educated
• malik ashtar
• model
• ruler