Features of Ibn al-Hajib's Method in Grammar

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Abstract

This study is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the methodology of the eminent thirteenth-century Arab grammarian Ibn al-Hajib. His fundamental works, al-Kafiya and al-Shafiya, played a decisive role in the formation and systematization of Arabic grammar and morphology. The research emphasizes the features of his scholarly approach, characterized by brevity, logical consistency, strict structural organization, and a highly restrained use of illustrative material. It highlights the significant influence of his works on the development of philological thought and the establishment of scholarly schools, particularly their influence on the works of Ibn Malik, al-Suyuti, and al-Jawhari.
The study examines manuscript versions of Ibn al-Hajib‘s works preserved in the National Library of Kazakhstan and other leading research centers worldwide, which confirms their exceptional value for historical and philological investigations. His methodological approach had a noticeable impact not only on the theoretical development of Arabic grammar but also on the practice of teaching the Arabic language, including its application within modern educational systems of the Islamic world. Special attention is paid to the fact that Ibn al-Hajib‘s writings remain relevant in the twenty-first century. They are studied in universities across the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, and are included in the curricula of Islamic universities and madrasas in Libya, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. In conclusion, it is emphasized that his methodology constitutes an integral part of classical Arabic philology and serves as a foundation for new commentaries and analytical studies, confirming the enduring value of Ibn al-Hajib‘s scholarly heritage.
Ibn al-Hajib‘s books al-Kafiya and al-Shafiya are currently taught at the Islamic University in Libya, at the ―Saryagash‖ College in Kazakhstan, and at the ―Kukaltash‖ Madrasa in Uzbekistan.