A Hidden Sharh in the Sarf: Sharh al-Amtsilah wa al-Binā’

Abstract

One of the most important branches of linguistic studies, and indeed the foremost in terms of learning, is the science of "sarf". Therefore, Arabic language education generally begins with the science of sarf. After the first and oldest independent sarf book, Kitāb al-Tasrīf" by Abu Uthman al-Māzinī, many independent works on sarf have been written. Among these works, the books "Amtsilah," "Binā’," "Maqsūd," "ʿIzzī," and "Marāh al-arwāh" are considered fundamental in the Ottoman madrasas and still hold significance today. Among these five works, Amtsilah and Binā’ hold a special place as concise works that have been taught as the first two introductory texts in Arabic language classes in Ottoman madrasas and institutions, that follow the classical method of Arabic instruction. The most significant feature of these books is that they serve as an introduction to Arabic morphology (sarf). Amtsilah’s main characteristic is its presentation of all conjugations using a single verb which is "نَصَرَ" (nasara). On the other hand, the most important feature of Binā’ is its presentation of Arabic verb patterns from triliteral (tsulātsī) to hexaliteral (tsudāsī), along with their respective masdars (infinitives), following the order of frequency in the language. These two books have attracted numerous commentaries and annotations during the Ottoman era. Many editions and Turkish translations of these works have been produced. For instance, among the commentaries written on " Amtsilah," the following can be mentioned: "Sharh al-Amtsilah" by Muslih al-Dīn Mustafa Surūrī, "Sharh al-Amtsilah" by Abdullah Efendi of Kuyucak, "Sharh al-Amtsilah" by Dāvūd al-Karsī, "Amtsilah Sherhi" by Kosah Efendi (also known as Chorekchi-zadah Ahmad Nuzhat), "Amtsilah Sherhi " by Askidji-zadah, and "Amtsilah al-Jadidah" by Mehmed Esʿad Effendi. Likewise, many commentaries exist on "Binā’ " as well. Among these, the following works can be mentioned: "Sharh al-Binā’ " by Muslih ad-Dīn Mustafa Surūrī, "Murshid al-Ghinā fī Sharh al-Amtsilah wa al-Binā’ " by Nushī Effendi, "Sharh al-Binā’ " by Abdullah Effendi of Kuyucak, "Sharh al-Binā’ " by Dāvūd al-Karsī, "Sharh al-Binā’" by Muhammad bin al-Hājj Hamīd al-Kafawī (Akkirmānī), "Asās al-Binā’" by Ahmad Rushdi Karaaghajī, and "Talhīs al-Asās" by Ali bin Uthmān Akshehrī. In addition to these works, there is a lesser-known commentary on both "Amtsilah" and "Binā’" even absent in our libraries. The manuscript of "Sharh al-Binā’ wa al-Amtsilah," found abroad, in the Riyadh University Library, has an unknown author. The handwriting of the copy is legible naskh script, and it was likely written in the 12th century or later as it is noted in the beginning of it. It is most likely that this commentary drew from many of the aforementioned commentaries. Unlike other commentaries, this particular work presents the conclusions of various discussions and the essential knowledge a student must know, in a concise and straightforward manner. As a result, this study sheds light on the similarities and differences between this commentary and others, and it contributes to the exposure and consideration of a previously obscure commentary by researchers.