A very important part of Imam Ali (PBUH)’s thought and conduct has been reflected in the extant collection of his words entitled Nahj al-Balagha. This study tries to examine some of Imam Ali (PBUH)’s behaviors with the content analysis method in order to clarify what rational principles and codes governed his conduct. The research results indicate that in the particular context of war and sedition, disobedience with regard to the issue of jihad, caliphate of Uthman and his murder, deviation and decadence of society, and in confrontation with Mua’wiya’s politics and hypocrisy and breaking of promises, Imam Ali (PBUH) acted rationally and made people aware of the source of the seditions and causes of society’s decadence and an increase in vice. At such junctures as his confrontation with enemies and in giving consultation to others as well as in his correspondence with
 
 * Associate Professor, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Department of Qur'anic and Hadith Sciences, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, ah.gharaee@vru.ac.ir
Date received: , Date of acceptance:
 
Mu’awiya and government agents, he took right decisions and rational procedures. To put matters right and change people’s attitudes and beliefs, he revealed true colors of hypocrites and oath-breakers and provided a description of the worst people (pseudo-ulema, hypocrites and naïve judges) and best people (the devout, believers and real ulema). In different situations, through explaining the rational rules of life he offered conclusive arguments to everyone, so that he would not be accused of being greedy for power, jocular, interested in playing games, ignorant of war techniques, and having a part in the murder of Uthman.