fetna and its characteristics: a case study of nahjulbalagha

the history of islam has abounded with different kinds of fetna (literary, sedition) and experienced the diverse seditious movements for many centuries. in nahjulbalagha, imam ali (pbuh) tried to shed light on the dark sides of fetna and its kinds. in the present paper, imam ali’s clear-cut description and the close illustration of fetna, its formation and consequences, and imam ali’s solutions to fetnas were investigated and discussed. based on the research findings, carnality, lack of long-standing and true religious beliefs, and lack of knowledge in deciding in contradictory debatable issues are the main factors in formation of a fetna according to imam ali’s view.according to the teachings of quran, imam ali has emphasized on the effectively wise decisions and the cautious conducts against fetnas.