شكافت ميان معرفت و عمل اخلاقي در نهج‌البلاغه

In various ethical schools, efforts have been made to clarify the relationship between theoretical reason (the discernment of good an‎d evil) an‎d practical reason (the realization of moral behavior). Yet obstacles such as weakness of will, dominance of carnal desires, an‎d worldly attachments have consistently hindered the complete unio‎n of these two domains. Nahj al-Balagha, as one of the authentic Islamic sources, pays special attention to this matter, an‎d in the sermons an‎d letters of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), the necessity of linking moral knowledge with moral practice is repeatedly emphasized. From the perspective of this source, moral knowledge is not merely theoretical awareness, but rather the foundation for the formation of moral character an‎d the guidance of human action. Nevertheless, the existence of a gap between moral knowledge an‎d moral practice in Islamic society raises serious questions about the causes an‎d dimensions of this discrepancy. Thus, the central problem of this study is why, despite the presence of moral knowledge in the teachings of Nahj al-Balagha, the full realization of moral action in human behavior encounters difficulty, an‎d what factors contribute to the creation of this gap. This research, conducted through a descriptive–analytical method, addresses this issue. The main achievement of the study is to clarify the position of moral knowledge within the intellectual system of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) an‎d to explain the causes an‎d dimensions of the gap between moral cognition an‎d moral behavior. In this way, it can serve as a theoretical foundation for Islamic ethical studies an‎d moral education in contemporary societies. The findings of the research indicate that, from the perspective of Nahj al-Balagha, moral knowledge is a necessary condition for moral action, but it is not sufficient on its own. Weakness of will, dominance of carnal desires, worldly attachments, an‎d lack of deep faith are identified as the most significant factors contributing to the gap between moral knowledge an‎d moral practice.

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