This study adopts a cognitive semantic approach to analyze the conceptualization of anger in the narrations attributed to Imam Reza . It aims to explain how conceptual metaphors structure human understanding of both divine and human anger. The corpus consists of forty narrations related to anger from the sayings of Imam Reza, which are examined using the tools of conceptual metaphor theory within a cognitive framework.
Anger in these narrations can be categorized into three domains: divine, human, and satanic. In the divine domain, anger is conceptualized through source domains such as force, distance, and fire. These metaphoric structures serve as deterrents in moral education and act as reminders of the consequences of sin.This form of anger is rooted in moral values and functions as a means of human reform. The sources of divine anger can be classified into two levels: doctrinal and behavioral.
In the human domain, anger is analyzed based on its intrinsic nature and the manner in which it is managed. The source domains of motion, imbalance, force, heat, mountain, key, and substance conceptualize the essence of anger, while the domain of force also appears in metaphorical representations of anger management. In the satanic domain, anger is metaphorically structured through the domain of medicine or drug, indicating Satan’s exploitative use of anger as a tool for seduction and cognitive disruption.
From the perspective of emotional-moral education, the narrations highlight components such as emotional self-awareness, anger regulation, psychological balance, ethical boundaries, and the capacity for conscious forgiveness.