Abu al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Yazid, Known as Al-Mubarrad
It is essential to understand who this distinguished scholar is. He was a man of extensive knowledge and insight, specializing in grammar, morphology, rhetoric, and criticism. Notably, he is regarded as one of the leading figures in literature and history. Muhammad ibn Yazid, also known as Abu al-Abbas Al-Mubarrad, was said to have received this nickname from his teacher, Abu Othman Al-Mazani. Born in 825 CE in Basra, he passed away in Baghdad in 899 CE and became one of the most eminent scholars from Basra.
Origin of His Name
The origin of his nickname is also attributed to an incident involving a police official who sought to engage with him for discussions. Al-Mubarrad, however, was reluctant to comply. He sought refuge with Abu Hatim Al-Sijistani, who advised him to hide inside an empty wrapping cloth. When the official’s messenger arrived, Abu Hatim covered Al-Mubarrad’s head with the cloth and informed the messenger that he was not present.
The messenger insisted that he had information about Al-Mubarrad’s visit, prompting a search of the premises. The search was thorough, yet no one noticed the concealed wrapping cloth. Eventually, Abu Hatim amusedly called out for Al-Mubarrad, which drew public attention, and his nickname became widely recognized. Numerous explanations have emerged regarding the source of his name.
His complete name is Muhammad ibn Yazid ibn Abd al-Akbar ibn Umayr ibn Hassan ibn Slim ibn Saad ibn Abdullah ibn Zayd ibn Malik ibn Al-Harith ibn Amir ibn Abdullah ibn Bilal ibn Awf ibn Aslam, belonging to the Thamali tribe, descending from Kab ibn Al-Harith ibn Kab ibn Abdullah ibn Malik ibn Al-Nadr ibn Al-Azd ibn Al-Ghawth, and he is known as Abu al-Abbas Al-Azdi and Al-Thamali.
Al-Mubarrad resided in Basra and later in Baghdad. Renowned for his vast knowledge and reliability in narration, he became the leading authority in syntax. He was an engaging lecturer, a master storyteller, and known for his unique anecdotes. His extensive learning and memorization led to some accusations of dishonesty. He acquired knowledge from the most prominent scholars of his time and, in turn, guided many students who would later emerge as notable figures in their own right.
His Teachers
Al-Mubarrad’s notable teachers included:
- Abu Umar Salih ibn Ishaq Al-Jurmi: A scholar and jurist in language.
- Abu Othman Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Othman Al-Mazani: A grammarian whom Al-Mubarrad described as “the most knowledgeable in grammar after Sibawayh.”
- Al-Jahiz Abu Othman Amr ibn Bahr: A linguist and critic with a profound understanding of language.
- Abu Hatim Al-Sijistani: A noted authority in grammar, poetry, and language.
- Abu Muhammad Abdullah ibn Muhammad: One of the leading experts in poetry.
His quest for knowledge did not cease there; Al-Mubarrad continued to seek learning from all the prominent scholars of his era. His passion for studying extended beyond formal instruction, as he diligently read the works of earlier scholars and jurists. This pursuit greatly enriched his intellectual capacity and breadth of knowledge.
His Students
Among his students were notable figures such as:
- Al-Zajjaj
- Al-Suli
- Abu Ali Al-Tamuri
- Ibn Al-Siraj
- Al-Akhfash Al-Saghir
- Abu Ali Ismail Al-Saffar
- Abu Al-Tayyib Al-Washa
- Ibn Al-Mu’tazz Al-Abbasi
- Abu Al-Hussain ibn Al-Jazzar
- Ibn Dustuyah
- Abu Ja’far Al-Nahhas
His Works
Al-Mubarrad was also a prolific author. His notable works include:
- “The Complete Work in History,” which has been published numerous times and was later commented on by Sayyid ibn Ali Al-Marsafi in an elaborate eight-volume work titled “Desire for Understanding the Complete Work.”
- “Al-Fadl”: A concise book based on selected passages, focusing on elegance and discernment.
- “Al-Muqtabis”: A substantial three-volume work addressing all topics of grammar and morphology with clarity and supported by examples.
- A commentary on “Lamiyat Al-Arab.”
- A study on the terms in the Holy Quran that share the same wording but differ in meaning.
- A treatise on gender distinctions in Arabic.