Grammatical Reasoning between Sibawaih and Al-Mubarred: A Historical Study. Grammatical Reasoning between Sibawaih and Al-Mubarred: A Historical Study.

Abstract

This research addresses a key issue in classical Arabic grammatical thought: grammatical reasoning. Early grammarians were deeply engaged in explaining various linguistic phenomena. The study examines this issue through two prominent figures in Arabic grammar, Sibawayh (d. 180 AH) and Al-Mubarrad (d. 285 AH), in their respective works, Al-Kitab and Al-Muqtaḍab. It employs a historical methodology that analyzes examples of reasoning in both texts, highlights the characteristics of each scholar's reasoning approach, and explores the differences between them and the reasons behind these differences. It also considers the perspectives on reasoning among grammarians between these two figures. The study investigates reasoning from multiple aspects, such as alignment with the inherent nature of language, reliance on rational, logical, and philosophical arguments, the role of reasoning in the grammarian's work, methodology used, and the attitude toward differing reasoning approaches by other grammarians. The study concludes with several findings, most notably the evolution of grammatical reasoning among grammarians after Sibawayh, with a shift away from the inherent nature of language toward a more rational, logical, and philosophical approach