Ibn Hisham al-Ansari’s (d. 761 AH) Grammatical Perspectives as Reflected in the Linguistic Evidences of His Major Commentary on Ibn Malik’s Alfiyyah (d. 672 AH)

Abstract

This research explores the grammatical views of Ibn Hisham al-Ansari (d. 761 AH) as presented in his Major Commentary on Ibn Malik’s Alfiyyah (d. 672 AH), one of the most significant works that engaged extensively with grammatical evidence. The study demonstrates how Ibn Hisham drew upon the opinions of earlier Arab linguists, while also contributing original insights that enriched the field of Arabic grammar. Through a detailed analysis of the commentary, the research highlights Ibn Hisham’s independent grammatical stance, his methodological approach to citing and interpreting linguistic evidence, and the distinctive clarity and fluency of his style, which reflects the nature of the subject matter. Ultimately, the study underscores Ibn Hisham’s substantial role in shaping grammatical thought and sheds light on the diversity of his views as embodied in the Major Commentary.