The Explanation of Sibawayh’s Book Titled: "The Refinement of Minds in Explaining the Complexities of the Book" By Abu Al-Hasan Ibn Kharuf Al-Nahwi (d. 609 AH)

Abstract

It is well-established that the Arabs did not have comprehensive linguistic works before the compilation of Sibawayh's book—may Allah have mercy on him. His book is the first complete work after the Qur'an in terms of methodology and content. Prior linguistic writings were limited to small treatises on specific linguistic topics. The emergence of Sibawayh's book in this comprehensive form, both methodologically and substantively, provoked the minds of scholars, leading to extensive analysis, explanation, and reasoning. Disputes over its issues have been abundant among Arab linguists, both past and present. Among the valuable commentaries on Sibawayh’s book is “The Explanation of Sibawayh’s Book, Titled The Refinement of Minds in Explaining the Complexities of the Book,”** authored by Abu Al-Hasan Ali bin Muhammad bin Ali Al-Hadrami Al-Ishbili, known as Ibn Kharuf (d. 609 AH), studied and edited by Khalifa Muhammad Khalifa Badeeri.