Religious Tourism in Nahj al-Balaghah

Tourism which in Quranic terms has been used with terms such as (سير) travel and (Siyahat) excursion is an admired action provided that it is used in a purposeful and within the framework of human perfection. Imam Ali (a.s.) as the commentator of the holy Quran has had valuable statements on the spread and development of tourism and this pen (author) is intending to collect them. Imam Ali (a.s.) not only had noticed to travel and excursion and has called others to do exploration and have a purposeful and learning travel but also this behavior in his own life reached to a level which the prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h.) introduced him as the visitant (traveler) of the Islamic Ummah. The philosophy and the reason for tourism based on Imam (a.s.)’s statement is the same acquisition of vision and increase of knowledge which has been pointed out through various words by him. To learn an admonitory lesson, being aletred, finding an proximity to God, remove of sadness, gaining a greater knowledge, expanding the religious culture of awareness and also the unity and solidarity, health and joy of economic thriving state are among the achievements which are all seen in the awakening and society-building book of the noble Nahj al-Balaqa with lofty, fluid and deep phrases and concepts. In this precise paper, relying upon the illuminating views of the Emir al-muʹminin (a.s.), we intend to elaborate different dimensions of religious tourism.