Abu Ali al-Farisi
Abu Ali al-Farisi, whose full name is Al-Hasan bin Ahmad bin Abdul Ghafar bin Muhammad bin Sulaiman bin Aban, is widely recognized as one of the most prominent scholars in the field of grammar (Nahw). He was born in the city of Fasa, located in the Fars province of Iran, in the year 288 AH. His mother is associated with the Rabi’ah tribe known for their Persian heritage.
Abu Ali al-Farisi’s Education
As a leading figure in Arabic grammar, Abu Ali al-Farisi studied under esteemed scholars such as Ishaq ibn Rahwayh. He, in turn, taught notable figures like Ubaidullah al-Azhari, Abu al-Qasim al-Tanukhi, Abu Muhammad al-Jahiz, among others.
In 307 AH, he traveled to Baghdad, where he learned from distinguished grammarians, including Ibrahim bin Muhammad bin al-Sari bin Sahl (known as al-Zajjaj), Abu Bakr Mabraman, Abu Bakr al-Sarrāj, and Abu Bakr al-Khayyat. Over time, he became a well-respected authority in grammar, mentoring students like Ibn Jinni and Abdul Qahir al-Jurjani.
Later, he journeyed through several Arab countries before settling in Tripoli, in the Levant region. He then moved to Aleppo, where he stayed with Sayf al-Dawla al-Hamdani around 341 AH, engaging in stimulating discussions with the poet Abu al-Tayyib al-Mutanabbi. Subsequently, he returned to Persia, where he became friends with Ibn Buwayh, who acknowledged Abu Ali al-Farisi’s expertise in grammar and famously stated, “I am a student of Abu Ali al-Faswi in grammar.”
Abu Ali al-Farisi excelled in logical reasoning, famously asserting, “I can make fifty mistakes in language, but not one in reasoning.”
Notable Linguistic Anecdotes of Abu Ali al-Farisi
During a visit to Shiraz with Ibn Buwayh, he posed a question about the accusative case in the phrase: “The people have risen except Zayd.” The elder responded, attributing it to an implicit action. Abu Ali countered, querying how it could be understood that the verb implied refraining from Zayd. The conversation concluded with the elder acknowledging that Abu Ali’s response was insightful.
After returning home, Abu Ali wrote a refined explanation of the discussion and sent it to Ibn Buwayh, who appreciated the insight, particularly noting how the preceding verb was rendered in the accusative due to the particle ‘except.’
Abu Ali al-Farisi’s Poetry
Despite his remarkable contributions to grammar, Abu Ali al-Farisi did not excel in poetry, managing only a few lines. In a poetic gathering, he remarked, “I envy you for your ability to compose poetry, as my mind fails to align with such creativity despite my mastery of the knowledge that underpins it.” When challenged about having never composed any poetry, he replied, “I can claim only three verses about gray hair, which are:
My gray hair was dyed when it was a blemish… And dyeing the gray is surely more deserving of shame.
I did not dye it out of fear of a friend’s estrangement… nor from shame or fear of reproach.
But the gray hair appeared unsightly… thus I turned the dye into a punishment for it.
Scholarly Opinions on Abu Ali al-Farisi
Various esteemed scholars have shared their views on Abu Ali al-Farisi, such as:
- Ibn Khalkan remarked, “He is too distinguished for his virtues to be enumerated.”
- Yaqut al-Hamawi stated, “He is renowned in the world for his name, known for his compositions and recognition, a singular authority of his time in Arabic, with many of his students affirming he exceeded al-Mubarred.”
- Al-Tanukhi noted, “His stature in grammar was so elevated that some of his students claimed he surpassed al-Mubarred, being more knowledgeable. He authored remarkable and unparalleled texts, establishing his fame across regions, fostering adept students like Uthman ibn Jinni and Ali ibn Isa al-Shirazi, serving kings and excelling in their patronage.”
- Abu Talib al-Abdi commented, “No one had a keener understanding of grammar than Abu Ali, not even Sibawayh.”
- Ibn Jinni asserted, “His reasoning was so strong as if it were innate to him. I believe Abu Ali extracted one-third of the principles of this science that all our scholars collectively learned.”
Works of Abu Ali al-Farisi
Below is a list of works authored by Abu Ali al-Farisi:
- Al-Tadhkirah in the Sciences of Arabic
- Al-Maqsur wa al-Mamduud
- Al-Masail al-Harbiyyah
- Al-Hujjah fi ‘Illal al-Qira’at
- Al-Iydah
- Al-Takmilah
- Jawahir al-Nahw
- Al-‘Awamil al-Mi’ah
- Al-Masail al-Halabiyyah
- Al-Masail al-Baghdadiyyah
- Al-Ighfal fi ma Aghfala al-Zajjāj min al-Ma’ani
- Al-Masail al-Shiraziyyah
- Al-Masail al-Qasriyah
- Al-Masail al-Basriyah
- Al-Masail al-Majlisiyyah
- Ta’liqah on the Book of Sibawayh
- Al-Hujjah for the Seven Reciters
- Kitab al-Shi’r, or Explanation of the Poetic Verses with Grammatical Ambiguity
Death of Abu Ali al-Farisi
Abu Ali al-Farisi passed away on the 17th of Rabi’ al-Awwal in 377 AH, which corresponded to a Sunday, in the city of Baghdad. He was laid to rest in the Khabar al-Shunizih cemetery. In his will, he bequeathed 30,000 dirhams to be allocated after his death to scholars of grammar in Baghdad, which accounted for one-third of his total wealth.