One of the less explored aspects of Imam Ali’s (a.s.) argumentative tradition regarding Imamate is the use of “living arguments”; that is, arguments and evidence that are neither confined to the distant past nor merely in the realm of text and theory, but are objectively present in the time and place of the audience. This study, with a textual and analytical approach, explores the role of such arguments in the wisdom, letters, and sermons of Nahj al-Balagha and Imam Ali’s practical life. The main goal is to explain the fact that the Imam, in addition to revealed texts and rational arguments, used “self-being” (his present identity, qualities, and personality) and “actions” (objective and observable actions and behaviors) as living arguments to prove the legitimacy of his Imamate. The innovation of this research lies in its emphasis on the connection between empirical evidence and theological discourse and its analysis based on the contemporary theories of “demonstrative evidence” and “witness testimony.” The findings show that this approach not only provides internal coherence to Alawi’s arguments, but also creates a bridge between the theory of Imamate and the lived experience of the audience, in such a way that Imam Ali himself and his actions become a living model for the legitimacy and effectiveness of Imamate.
hashemi,M . (2026). An analysis of the function of "living evidence" in the Alawi arguments for the Imamate. (e10941). Imam Ali ΄s Studies, 16(32), e10941 doi: 10.30465/alavi.2026.52905.2761
MLA
hashemi,M . "An analysis of the function of "living evidence" in the Alawi arguments for the Imamate" .e10941 , Imam Ali ΄s Studies, 16, 32, 2026, e10941. doi: 10.30465/alavi.2026.52905.2761
HARVARD
hashemi M. (2026). 'An analysis of the function of "living evidence" in the Alawi arguments for the Imamate', Imam Ali ΄s Studies, 16(32), e10941. doi: 10.30465/alavi.2026.52905.2761
CHICAGO
M hashemi, "An analysis of the function of "living evidence" in the Alawi arguments for the Imamate," Imam Ali ΄s Studies, 16 32 (2026): e10941, doi: 10.30465/alavi.2026.52905.2761
VANCOUVER
hashemi M. An analysis of the function of "living evidence" in the Alawi arguments for the Imamate. Imam Ali ΄s Studies. 2026;16(32):e10941 (In Persian). doi: 10.30465/alavi.2026.52905.2761