Explaining the Types of Praiseworthy and Despicable Bigotry in the Words of Imam Ali (AS)

Although some think that “bigotry” is a moral vice, it is mentioned with two positive and negative functions in religious teachings; and to-the-point bigotry is praised and regarded as a moral virtue. Due to the importance of moral attributes and explaining their functions, an attempt has been made in this study to identify and explain the nature of the attribute “bigotry” and its types by referring to religious texts. Therefore, using the method of “content analysis” and the technique of “analysis of qualitative themes”, this study deals with one of the most important and longest sermons of Imam Ali (AS) called “Qasi’ah (Disparagement) Sermon” and the statements related to “bigotry” were extracted and analyzed. Findings show that Imam Ali (AS) in the Qasi’ah (Disparagement) sermon discussed in detail the issue of bigotry and its types and explained the role of this attribute in the growth or fall of man. Finally, this article tried to provide a complete picture of “bigotry” based on his words.