The Nahj al-Balagha (Arabic: نهج البلاغة‎ Nahj ul-Balāghah) (“Way of Eloquence") is the most famous collection of sermons, letters and narrations of Imam Ali. This book is Known for its eloquent content and considered a masterpiece of literature in Arabic language and literature. This valuable book many times has been translated into Persian by capable translators and scholars. One of the most famous Persian translations of Nahj al-Balagha was done by Sayyed Jafar Shahidi, distinguished scholar of the Persian language and literature and a renowned historian of Islam. Nahj al-Balagha employs many stylistic, linguistic and rhetorical features, and this use of linguistic and rhetorical features such as simile, metaphor, irony, challenges the translators of Nahj al-Balagha. Meanwhile Shahidi’s translation of Nahj al-Balagha has been a faithful translation in a way that he has tried to convey it faithfully on the one hand, and to find the exact Persian equivalents on the other hand. Using the descriptive and attributive method, this article analyzes the diction, figures of speech, and literary graces of the 114 elementary sermon of Shahidi’s translation. Shahidi has carefully translated figures of speech of Nahj al-Balagha into Persian, to some extent that, the eloquence of this translation draws everybody’s attention.  Shahidi has benefited from the Baligh simile and Makniyah Metaphor frequently. He has also used different types of figures of speech and rhetorical features such as rhyme, symmetry, contrast… which makes this translation more valuable and precious. And finally the authors have come to this conclusion that the rhyme is the most striking feature in this translation.  

Keywords: Nahj al-Balagha, Sayyed Jafar Shahidi, Translation, figures of speech, rhetorical features

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