Islamic Studies and Quranic Research in the Contemporary World

Islamic Studies and Quranic Research in the Contemporary World

The discourse of critical exploration of the narrative of "Golden Dynasty" based on Norman Fairclough's discourse theory

Document Type : Promotional

Authors
mohammad soleimani 1
mohammad mahdi ajilianmafogh 1
mahdi ahmadi 2
Ahmad Zarezardini 3
1 Department of Quran and Jurisprudence, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
2 Department of Quranic Sciences and Jurisprudence, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Shiraz University, Iran
3 , Associate Professor, Department of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Theology , Meybod University, Meybod, Iran
10.22034/iscw.2025.2044606.1110
Abstract
The "Silsilat al-Dhahab" hadith, one of the most renowned narrations attributed to Imam Reza (peace be upon him), was articulated in the presence of a large gathering of hadith scholars and the public in Nishapur, emphasizing two central theological themes: monotheism (tawhid) and divine leadership (imamate). This hadith has garnered significant attention from historians and hadith scholars throughout history. The present study employs the method of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine the linguistic structure of the hadith’s text, interpret its contextual functions, and explore the pragmatic implications of its discourse. The analysis aims to identify the dominant discursive motivations and flows, as well as the oppositional dynamics between Imam Reza’s discourse and competing discourses of his era. Drawing on the CDA framework, the findings suggest that through this narration, Imam Reza (peace be upon him) challenges the legitimacy of the political authority of the caliphs, Umayyads, and Abbasids, while asserting the exclusive right of divine leadership for the infallible Imams, including himself. The hadith also serves as a clarifying response to deviant intra-Shi‘i sects such as the Waqifiyya, Ismailiyya, Zaydiyya, Ghulat, and Sufis, while reaffirming the Qur’anic verses on divine guardianship (wilaya), reiterating the message of Ghadir, and articulating the political philosophy of Islam and Shi‘ism. Through this hadith, Imam Reza (peace be upon him) seeks to elucidate the authentic monotheistic worldview of Islam, tailored to the cultural, social, and political exigencies of his time, while redefining the path to salvation and protection from divine punishment
Keywords
Discourse
Discourse Analysis
Critical Discourse Analysis
Al-Dahahab Dynasty
Imam Reza (AS)
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Islamic Studies and Quranic Research in the Contemporary World
Volume 4, Issue 1 - Serial Number 7
August 2025
Pages 190-221

  • Receive Date 04 November 2024
  • Revise Date 21 January 2025
  • Accept Date 24 May 2025
  • First Publish Date 24 May 2025
  • Publish Date 23 August 2025