Who is Sibawayh?
Sibawayh, known as the “Imam of Arabic grammar,” was Abu Bishr Amr ibn Uthman ibn Qanbar al-Basri. The name “Sibawayh” translates to “the scent of apples,” derived from Persian origins. He was a Persian grammarian who resided in Basra and is best known for his seminal work in Arabic linguistics, “Al-Kitab,” which consists of five volumes containing foundational grammatical principles of the Arabic language.
Born in 760 AD in Shiraz, located in modern-day Fars Province, Iran, some sources claim that he traveled to Basra before moving to Baghdad, eventually returning to Shiraz where he passed away. He died sometime between 161-777 AD. Sibawayh arrived in Iraq at the young age of 32, during the reign of Harun al-Rashid, and unfortunately passed away in his forties. Despite his brief life, he left an enduring legacy for future generations.
Sibawayh was tutored by notable figures such as Yunus ibn Habib and Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi, both prominent scholars in the field of grammar, to whom he owes much of his knowledge and insight. Among his students were two prominent scholars: Abu al-Hasan Said ibn Musaddad, known as al-Akhfash, and Abu Muhammad ibn al-Mustanir, famously known as Qutrub. Sibawayh is revered as the most influential Iranian linguist, ranking 28th among linguists and 133rd on the list of the most popular biographies from Iran.
Famous Quotes by Sibawayh
There are several well-known sayings attributed to Sibawayh, including:
- “And it is said he will do it, and he will indeed do it, as these two letters are added to convey meaning, just as the ‘al’ and ‘lam’ are appended to definite nouns.”
- “He hopes for a world to strive for, but death arrived before hope, as he narrates the roots of the palm; the palm lives, but the man dies.”
- “We were all scattered by fate to the utmost time; who can trust fate?”
- “Inform you, Abu Khalid, that I saw today something astonishing: that Ibn Ja’dah in Al-Buwaine is a householder, while the Banu Khafajah are hunting the fox.”
- “I recoiled from what I saw that angered me, and I was outraged if I saw myself angered; and I indeed saw a tribe there, different from them, who occupy the lush pastures.”
- “I shall seek knowledge that none can dispute with me.”
- “There is no one among my companions to whom, if I wished, I could not require an answer, except Abu al-Dardaa.”
Al-Kitab by Sibawayh
The most significant work attributed to Sibawayh, which has continued to be utilized by scholars, is “Al-Kitab.” This text is widely regarded as the foundational work on Arabic grammar and syntax. It encompasses all facets of the Arabic language, including excerpts from Arabic phrases and expressions, making it a cornerstone in the study of grammar. The manuscript consists of five volumes, thoroughly reviewed and documented from earlier manuscripts, complete with diacritics and research indexes.
Sibawayh is said to have traveled between towns and villages, engaging with the people to record their poetry and historical sayings—oral traditions passed down through tribes—to gather evidence and linguistic examples for every point and argument in his book.