THE GLOWING GIFT

A Commentary on the al-Muqaddimah al-Ajurrumiyyah

By Sh. Muhammad Muhyiddin AbdulHamid

The Author

popularly known as "

", born in the year 672 (AH) and died in the year 723 (AH) (May Allah have mercy on him) said: is a compound utterance that conveys a complete and self-contained meaning according to (Arabic) coinage and convention. I( The word As for ) say: has two senses: the first is lexical and the second is grammatical. in the lexical sense, it is that through which a message is conveyed ) or not, such as writing, signaling, etc.

whether it be an utterance ( As for

in the grammatical sense, it is that which must comprise four things: (1) it ), (2) it must be a compound ( ), (3) it must convey a

must be an utterance ( self-contained meaning ( ).

) and (4) it must be coined in Arabic words (

The meaning of it being an utterance is that it is a sound composed of some of the letters of the alphabet which start with the and and end with the , e.g. ,

. Each one of these three words when utterred is a sound composed of four according to because of it

letters of the alphabet. Hence, signaling, for example, is not called alphabet), even though according to the Lexicologists it is called conveying a message.

the Grammarians due to it not being a sound composed of some of the letters (of the

The meaning of it being a compound is that it is composed of two or more words, e.g. (Muhammad is travelling/a traveller), beneficial), (The hard worker will achieve glory), (Knowledge is

(Every hard worker will have a portion) and

(Knowledge is the

best objective that you can strive towards). Each of these expressions is called and each of them is composed of two or more words. A single word is not called according to the Grammarians except when something else is joined to it whether it is joined to it in the real sense like the previous examples or in the hypothetical sense like when someone says to you: (Who is your brother?) and you say: because the hypothetical

(Muhammad) then this word is considered construction is:

(Muhammad is my brother). Thus, it is hypothetically , and the pronominal suffix ).

speaking composed of three words (

The meaning of it conveying a complete and self-contained meaning is that the silence of the speaker holds valid for it such that the listener does not have to wait for anything else (like having to wait for the speaker to finish his sentence). So should you say: (When the teacher is present .) it is not called even though it is an utterance composed of three words because the addressee is waiting for what you are going to say after this as regards what will happen when the teacher is present. Thus, should you say: present the students keep quiet) it becomes contained meaning being conveyed. The meaning of it being coined in Arabic words is that the words used in example: should (When the teacher is because of a complete and self-

be from the words that the Arabs coined for denoting particular meanings. For (was present) is a word which the Arabs coined for a particular

meaning, namely: the occurrence of being present in the past tense; the word (Muhammad) the Arabs coined for a particular meaning, namely: the essence or identity of the person called by this name. Therefore, should you say: (Muhammad was present) you would have used two words each of which has been coined by the Arabs. This is in contrast to when you utter an expression which nonArabs have coined like the Persians, Turks, Berbers or the Europeans, then it is not called according to the technical definition of the Scholars of Arabic even though .

speakers of another language call it Examples of

that satisfies the conditions:

(the air is clean), (the crescent is rising), shines at night), lazy one will not prosper),

(the garden is bearing fruit), (The sky is clear), (the hard worker is successful), (there is no god but Allah), (Allah is our Lord), (the moon (the

(Muhammad is the elite of the messengers), (Muhammad is our Messenger). Examples of single utterances: (Muhammad), (Ali), (Ibrahim), (stood),

(from).

Examples of compounds not conveying self-contained meanings: (the City of Alexandria), (Hadramaut), (When winter comes .), hides ), (If the sun rises .). (the servant of Allah, Abdullah),

(If people were just and fair .), (Whatever the showy person

The Author said:

Its constituent parts are three: meaning. I say:

(noun),

(verb) and

(particle) signifying

The words which the Arabs used to use in their speech and which were transferred to us and which we now utter in our conversations and lessons, read in our books and which we write with to our family and friends, each of these words must belong to one of three things: the As for the (verb), (verb) and (particle).

in the lexical sense: it is that which denotes the object designated or

named (by it), and in the technical terminology of the Grammarians: it is a word denoting a meaning in and of itself unaccompanied by time e.g. (Muhammad), apple), (Ali), (a lemon), (a man), (a camel), (a river), (an

(a stick). Each one of these words denotes a meaning .

(in and of itself) and time does not enter its meaning, and is therefore an As for the

in the lexical sense: it is an action, and in the technical terminology of (wrote) for it is a (write/s) for it also

the Grammarians: it is a word denoting a meaning in and of itself accompanied by one of the three tenses which are the past, present and future, like furthermore accompanied by the past tense, and like accompanied by the present tense, and like word denoting a meaning (in and of itself) which is "writing" and this meaning is denotes a meaning (in and of itself) which is also "writing" and this meaning is (write!) for it also denotes a meaning (in and of itself) which is also "writing" and this meaning is accompanied by the future tense which occurs after the time of speaking. Similar to these words are: (to help) (to understand) (to know) (to sit) (to hit, beat)

The The

is of three types:

(perfect),

(imperfect) and

(imperative).

is that which denotes an action occurring in the time before the time of (wrote), (spoke), (understood), (left, went out), (heard),

speaking, e.g. (helped), The e.g. (hear/s), (participate/s). The

(asked forgiveness) and

(participated).

is that which denotes an action occurring in the time of speaking or after, (write/s), (help/s), (understand/s), (speak/s), (leave/s, go/goes out), (ask/s forgiveness) and

is that which denotes an action whose occurrence is requested after the time of (write!), (help!), (understand/s), (speak!), (leave!, go out!), (ask forgiveness!) and

speaking, e.g. (hear!), (participate!). As for the

it is lexically equivalent to "periphery / margin", and in the (from), since this expression is a word denoting a

technical terminology of the Grammarians it is a word denoting a meaning in something other than itself, e.g. meaning, namely "commencing / starting", and this meaning furthermore is not complete unless you join something else to this word such that you say: (I went from the house/home), for example. Examples of the (newspaper), ('Imran), (wolf), (pear), plural). (paper), (cheetah), (narcissus), : (book), (pen), (inkpot), (notebook),

(Khalil, friend),

(Salih, pious, righteous), (donkey), (orange), (you masculine

(predatory animal, beast of prey), (tiger, leopard), (rose), (lemon), (these) and

Examples of the

(to travel) (to say) (to be safe and secure) (to be pleased) (to be truthful, speak the truth) (to work hard, exert effort) (to seek forgiveness) Examples of the (from), (to), : (away from, about, of), (to), (on), (except), (but),

(indeed, truly, verily), but), (indeed, definitely),

(indeed, yes "it is so"), (will, shall), (until),

(rather, instead, (did not), (not),

(will/shall not),

(if, were something to be the case), (not), (or). (not),

(when, did not yet), (were that, how I

(hopefully, with the hope, so that), wish, if only), (if), (then) and

The Author said: The is identified and characterised by , and they are: (often, perhaps), the , the (from), (with), the , and they are: the , the entry of the (to), and the

and the (on), (in),

(about, of), (like) and the (by), the (by)

(to, of), and (the entry of) the and the I say: The and the (by).

has signs such that it is distinguished from its two sister categories the by the presence or acceptance one of these signs. Of these signs the , the

Author may Allah have mercy on him mentions four signs, namely: , the entry of the As for and and the entry of one of the .

it is lexically the opposite of elevation and in the technical terminology which the in produces or whatever stands in (Bakr) and ('Amr) as when you (This is 'Amr's at the

of the Grammarians it is the place of it, like the say: book). and

of the (letter)

(I passed by Bakr) and when you say: , therefore, are two

due to the presence of the

ending of each of them. As for the it is lexically equivalent to "whistling". You say (for example):

(The bird whistled), and in the technical terminology of the Grammarians it is an unvowelled which follows at the end of the in articulation but is absent

from it in script due to the fact that the need for it (in writing) is obviated through doubling the vowel mark when diacritically marking (the text), e.g. (Muhammad), (female Muslims), (book), (continue talking), (keep quiet),

(Fatimahs),

(at that time, when that happens), on the evidence that the is found

(at that hour). These words are all at the ending of each of them.

The third sign from amongst the signs of the of the word, like: (the book), due to the entry of the The fourth sign is (the man), (the house), and the

is the entry of

at the beginning (the horse/mare),

(the servant/boy),

(the school). These words are all

at their beginning. entry of one of the , like and

(I went from the house to the school). Each of is an due to a

entering on them and due to the presence of

at its beginning. The are: among its meanings is travelled from Cairo). among its meanings is travelled to Alexandria). among its meanings is (surpassing, going beyond), e.g. (ending, finishing), e.g. (I (commencing, starting), e.g. (I

(I shot the arrow from the bow). among its meanings is climbed on top of the mountain). among its meanings is the jug). among its meanings is (Maybe a generous person met me). the valley). the and the among its meanings is among its meanings are (resemblance/likening) (possession) (Layla is (The money (The door is for the house) like the full moon). among its meanings is (transitivity), (I passed by the (rareness/infrequency), (inclusion/in-ness), (The water is in (being elevated), e.g. (I

belongs to Muhammad), and it). (worthiness)

(specificity)

(All Praise is due to Allah i.e. Allah is worthy of

Of the The first is the

are the

, and they are three

(by) and only enters on a

(substantive noun), like: (By the Mountain and) and like:

(By Allah) and like:

(By the Fig and the Olive and Mount Sinai). the second is the (by) and is not used with one kind of word at the exclusion of , like: (By Allah, I will work (By You, I (Expression of Majesty),

another but enters instead on the hard) as well as on the will beat the lazy person). the third is the e.g. idols].

(personal pronoun), like:

(by) and enters only on the

[And by Allah, I shall plot a plan (to destroy) your

01

The Author said:

The

is identified and characterised by

(indeed, sometimes), the

(indicating near future),

(indicating distant future) and the

(unvowelled Ta' of Femininity). I say: The is distinguished from its two sister categories the . , the third is and the fourth is the and the by

four signs such that whenever one is present in it or you see that it accepts it then you know that it is a The first is . As for it enters on two types of , namely: the and the .

, the second is the

When it enters on the

it denotes one of two meanings, viz. (imminence i.e. it is about to

(definitiveness i.e. it definitively happened) and happen). An example of it denoting

is the statement of the Most High:

(Indeed. The Believers are successfully) and His statement: (Indeed, Allah is pleased with the Believers) and our statement: (Muhammad has definitely arrived) and our statement: (Khalid has definitely travelled). An example of it denoting one announcing the commencement of the prayer: about to be established) as well as your statement: to set). When it enters on the (infrequency, rareness) and like when you say: say: it also denotes one of two meanings, viz. (frequency, regularity). As for it denoting it is is statement of the (The prayer is (The sun is about

(Sometimes a liar speaks the truth) or when you (Sometimes a miser is generous) or when you say: it is like when

(Sometimes an unintelligent person passes). As for it denoting

00

you say: when you say: when the poet says:

(Often the hard worker reaches his desired goal) or (Often the pious person performs righteousness) or

(Often the unhurried person fulfils some of his needs and often slips accompany the hurried person) As for the and they enter on the only and denote which . As for the (The fools (Those who failed to turn up it is like the Most High's statement:

means "future" except that the

is nearer in the future than

it is like the Most High's statement: among the people will say) and i.e. for the battle, will say to you). As for

(And your Lord will give to you i.e. in the Hereafter, and you will be pleased), and and As for the to indicate that the a like: (doer), like . (unvowelled)] is that it is according to its (We will make them fuel a fire)

(He will give them their rewards i.e. in the Hereafter). it enters on the of which this exclusively, and its function is (feminine) whether it is (agent/substitute of the doer),

is predicated is or a

What is meant [by it being

original coinage, such that its vowelisation is due to the temporary cause of avoiding the juxtaposition of two unvoweled letters in for example the Most High's statement: (She said: Go you out to them), and (Pharaoh's wife said) and obedience). Based on the aforementioned it should become clear to you that the signs of the that the Author has mentioned are of three categories: a category specific to entering on the , which is the , which constitutes the which is . and , a category specific to entering on the , and a category shared between them, (They said: We come in willing

02

He disregarded the sign of the accepting the ( (

, which is it denoting a request whilst

of the second person feminine singular) or (stand), (sit), (write) and

of corroboration or emphasis), like:

(look). These four words denote the request for the occurrence of standing, sitting, writing and looking, whilst accepting the [Stand (feminine singular)] and in for example: benefit you). in for example:

[Sit (feminine singular)] or whilst accepting the (Write and look at what will

03

The Author said: The is that for which the sign of the and the sign of the are not valid.

I say: The is distinguished from its two sister categories the and the by the

fact that the entry of one of the previous signs of the as the entry of one of the previously explained signs of the like (from), (question article) and

is not applicable to it just is not applicable to it,

(negative particle). These three words are , nor the , nor is it allowed that

due to the fact that they do not take the

enter on them (i.e. govern them). Therefore it is incorrect to say: (the from) or to say: or to say: (to from) and the same applies to the or or the

rest of the or is a

. Similarly, it is incorrect that the

or anything else which constitutes a sign indicating that a particular word

enters on them.

04

The Author said: (The Chapter on ) entering on

is changing the endings of words due to the alternation of the them (whether the change is) explicit or implicit. I say: has two meanings: one which is lexical and the other technical.

As for its lexical meaning it is "to reveal, make known, clarify". You say: (I expressed what is in my heart), when you reveal or make it known. As for its technical meaning it is what the Author has mentioned by saying: "changing the endings of words etc." What is meant by "changing the endings of words" is changing the states or modes of the endings of words. It is illogical and unreasonable to think that what is meant is changing the very endings. Changing the states of the endings of words is changing them from , to or in the real or virtual sense. This change is the result of necessitating on the basis of being

the alternation of the

, that is, from an

(doer) for example to another requiring

on the basis of being the

(object) for example and so on and so forth. By way of illustration: when you say: is (Muhammad was present), then necessitating on

because it is governed and operated on by an (doer) and this is

the basis of being the

, and if you were to say: changes to that , which is

(I saw Muhammad) then the state of the ending of of due to the . When you say: its ending changes to that of necessitating , which is the . alternating with another necessitating

(I enjoyed the favour of Muhammad) the state of due to the alternating with another

When you consider these examples it becomes evident to you that the ending of the word which is the of did not change but what changed instead was the states

05

or modes of its ending, for you saw that it was the second example and This change from the state of which are Like the , and in the third example. , to the sate of

in the first example,

in

and to the state of .

is

according to the Author and whosoever follows his view. These three vowel-marks are merely a sign or indicator of

in this regard is the

. Thus, were you to say: is a or an that is necessitating its

(Ibrahim is tavelling or will be traveling), then due to it being stripped of an . Thus, when you say: changes from necessitates its to due to the necessitating its

(Ibrahim will not travel) the state of alternating with another which (Ibrahim did to , which is . due to the

, which is

. Thus, when you say: changes from or

not travel) the state of alternating with another

which necessitates its

Know that this change is divided into two types: (implicit and assumed). As for the

(explicit and real) and

it is a change whose pronunciation is not obstructed by any of

obstruction as you have seen in the case of the vowel-markings of the and the vowel-markings of the As for the such as of .

it is a change whose pronunciation is obstructed by an obstruction (i.e. the impossibility of vowelling an or with a or a ) or ), (i.e. the difficulty of (the necessity of vowelling

the vowelling a the letter before the is the You say: calling) is ).

of the first person singular with a corresponding vowel which

(the young lad, the judge and my servant are

because it is stripped of a

and a

06

is and is .

due to it being the are

. (conjoined) to the which

because they are

However, the

is not

(apparent/subject to pronunciation) at the endings of , and its difficulty in the case of of the first person singular in

these words due to its impossibility in the case of and the case of and due to correspondence with the . Hence, the is

(implicit and assumed) at the ending of the , or the occupation of

word and what obstructs it from becoming apparent is the place (of declension) by the vowel of You say: will not be pleased) and you say: my servant are victorious) and you say: young lad, the judge and my servant). That whose ending is a necessary and permanent and assumed due to (young lad), (satisfaction). That whose ending is necessary and permanent and assumed due to . The ending in the has the . The (stick), ending in an (intellect),

(correspondence). (The young lad, the judge and my servant (Indeed, the young lad and (I passed by the

has all the vowels obstructed is called , like:

(mill-stone) and

and . The

obstructed (on the

is called

other hand) is apparent due to its lightness and ease of pronunciation, like: (judge), (propagator), (warrior/battler), (archer/thrower). has all the vowels obstructed and (my book), (my (striver),

(comer, coming, following) and That which is assumed due to friend), (annexed) to the , like:

(my servant), (my teacher).

(my father) and

07

stands in contrast to

. Each of these two (concepts) becomes abundantly

clear with the explanation of the other. The Author does not give any explanation of in the manner in which we have explained Thus, we say: . However, we will explain it to you .

has two meanings: one which is lexical and the other technical.

As for its lexical meaning it is placing one thing on another in a way that is stable and permanent. As for its technical meaning it is the adherence of a word's ending to a single state or mode which is not the result of an like the adherence of adherence of the adherence of (where) and nor a change involving a weak letter. This is (who) to the (yesterday) to the , and the , and

(howmuch/howmany) and (Hathami) and (where) to the .

(these), (since) and (how) to the

, and the adherence of

From this explanation you know then that the title names of and .

are four:

After having clarified all these things it should not be difficult for you to know (the meaning of) and . The is that the state of whose ending changes either and the is that whose ending nor a change involving a

explicitly or implicitly due to (different)

adheres to a single state which is not the result of an weak letter.

08

Types of The Author said: Its types are four: the , and , , and . Of these , and , apply to and

does not feature in them at all, and of these , and does not feature in them at all.

apply to the I say: The types of second

that occur in both the , the third and the fourth

and

are four: the first is

, the

. Each of these four types has a

meaning lexically and a meaning in the technical terminology of the Grammarians. As for it is lexically equivalent to exaltation and elevation, and technically it is a or what substitutes for it. You will know in the section that follows if Allah so wills. (Ali is standing) and (the

specific change whose sign is the shortly what substitutes for the occurs in both the and , e.g.

nightingale is chanting). As for it is lexically equivalent to levelling and evenness, and technically it is a or what substitutes for it. (I will never like laziness). also occurs in

specific change whose sign is the both the As for and , e.g.

it is lexically equivalent to lowering or debasing, and technically it is a or what substitutes for it. It does not occur (I feel pain regarding the lazy person).

specific change whose sign is the except in the As for , e.g.

it is lexically equivalent to severing, and technically it is a specific change or what substitutes for it. It does not occur except in the (The lazy person was not successful).

whose sign is the , e.g.

09

It is thus clear to you that the types of category shared between the , viz. and , viz.

are divided into three categories: a and . , a category specific to

, and a category specific to

, viz.

21

The Author said: Chapter on knowing and identifying the Signs of For I say: You are able to know that a word is ending: one of which is primary, viz. the , and . by the presence of one of four signs at its , and three that are secondary, viz. the there are four signs: the , , and .

20

The Places of the The Author said: As for the and I say: The is a sign indicating that a word is in a state of , the second place is the in four places: , the third place is which does not have an suffixed to it is a sign of in four places: the , ,

that does not have anything attached at its end.

The first place is the the , it. As for the (plural), ,

and the fourth place is the , nor a

(single or double) or

, what is meant by it here is anything that is not (affiliated) to the two of them and from the

(dual), (five nouns). It

does not matter whether what is intended thereby is (Muhammad), (feminine), like: matter whether the was present), (Ali), (Fatimah), is

(masculine), like

(Hamzah) or what is intended thereby is ('A'ishah), (Zaynab), nor does it (Muhammad

(explicit and real), like in (Fatimah traveled), or

(implicit and assumed), like:

(the young lad, the judge and my brother were present) and (Layla and Nu'ma got married). the sign indicating that they are likewise and (implicit is ) on the are ) on the is the and (explicit are ). and and is the .

and the sign indicating that they are and what obstructs its explicitness is is the . is

and the sign indicating that it is and what obstructs its explicitness is is the (implicit

(implicit and the sign

indicating that it is

) on the letter before the .

and what obstructs its explicitness is the vowel of

22

As for the

(broken plural) what is meant by it is anything denoting more

than two masculine or feminine objects accompanied by a change in the structure of its singular form. The kinds of change found in (broken plurals) are six: (lion) and (lions),

(1) A change through diacritical marking only, e.g. (tiger/leopard) and

(tigers/leopards). The letters of the singular and the

plural in these two plurals are the same and the difference between the singular and plural is only in their diacritical marking. (2) A change through decreasing (the number of letters) only, e.g. (accusation) and examples, which is the singular. (3) A change through increasing (the number of letters) only, e.g. tree from a group of palm trees joined by a single/same root) and trees joined by a single/same root) as in the Most High's statement: (palms trees growing out of single roots or otherwise) (4) A change through diacritical marking and decreasing (the number of letters), e.g. (bed) and (beds), (red for plural), (book) and (books), (red (one palm (palm (accusations), (indigestion) and

(indigestions). You find that the plural has decreased in one letter in these two while the rest of the letters are the same as in the

for singular) and (white for plural).

(white for singular) and

(5) A change through diacritical marking and increasing (the number of letters), e.g. (Hind) and (wolves), (cause) and (Hinds), (causes), (hyena) and (hero) and (hyenas), (brave people). (heroes), (wolf) and

(brave person) and

(6) A change through diacritical marking, increasing and decreasing (the number of letters), e.g. (noble) and (nobles), (loaf) and

23

(loaves),

(writer) and

(writers),

(prince/commander) and

(princes/commanders). All of these kinds are meant by the word (Hinds) and examples or is with the , like and it makes no difference whether what is (men) and is (writers) or , like

(Zaynabs), or whether the

as illustrated in these (drunkards) and (pregnant

(implicit and assumed) as in for example: (virgins) and

(wounded people) or for example women). You say: that they are with the

(The men and the Zaynabs stood) and you find , and you say: and obstructing its (the

wounded people and the virgins were present) such that each of is with a (implicit and assumed) on the with

explicitness. As for the with the addition of an (Fatimahs), it is anything that denotes more than two feminine objects and a at its ending, e.g. (Zaynabs), (the Zaynabs and . The ) to the is not , e.g. are and the sign in the

(hot baths). You say:

came and the Fatimahs travelled). indicating that they are is the

except when it is annexed ( (These are my trees and my cows). If the and

is not additional by being present in the (judges), but is a (propagator) and instead.

(singular), like:

(judge)

(propagators), then it is not a

Similarly, if the person) and poetry verses), and not to the

is not additional by being present in the (deceased people), (sound) and .

, e.g.

(deceased (houses,

(house, poetry verse) and (sounds), then it belongs to the

24

As for the verbs is

, it is like:

(hit/s) and

(write/s). Each of these two is the (explicit and the sign and what

and the sign indicating that they are (call/s) and is the . Likewise are

). Similarly, indicating that it is

(hope/s), each of which is (implicit ) on the

obstructs its explicitness is of which is ) on the (is pleased) and it is is the .

(judge/s) and is the

(please/s), each (implicit

and the sign indicating that it is and what obstructs its explicitness is (is strong), for each of them is (implicit ) on the

. In like fashion also are and the sign indicating that and what obstructs its

explicitness is

By saying: "which does not have an suffixed to it is like

or

suffixed to it" (they (they

we exclude that which has one of these three things suffixed to it. That which has the (they masculine dual write) and suffixed to it is like

masculine dual help). That which has the masculine plural write) and suffixed to it is like feminine singular help). It (i.e. the is

(they masculine plural help). That which has the (you feminine singular write) and ) is then not , while the with the , or (you , instead it is a .

with the fixing or attachment of the

This will be explained (in greater detail) later. By saying: "nor a one of the two (single or double)" we exclude the suffixed to it, like the statement of the Most High: (He will most certainly be imprisoned and be amongst the humiliated ones). The By saying: "or the then is (indeclinable and fixed) on a that has the . suffixed that has

" we exclude the

to it, like the statement of the Most High: suckle). The then is (indeclinable and fixed) on a

(The mothers should .

25

Substitution of the The Author said: As for the it is a sign of

for the

in two places: in the (your brother),

and in the (your wife's in-laws),

, they are: (your mouth) and I say: The

(your father),

(Possessor of Wealth).

is a sign indicating that a word is in a state of and the second place is the .

in two places: the first is

As for the having its like conjoined (

it is an

denoting more than two masculine objects (i.e. (Those who failed to

males) through an addition at its ending, capable of being stripped of this addition and ) to it, like:

turn up i.e. for the battle, were filled with happiness), (But those firmly grounded in knowledge amongst them and the Believers), (Even though the sinners detest), (if there twenty patient ones amongst you) and (and others who acknowledged their sins). Each of , , and is a , , , ,

denoting more than , , and . This

two masculine objects and has an addition at its end and is capable of being stripped of this addition. Do you not see that you say: and

. Each of these plural words that occur in these (Qur'anic) verses is is the as a substitute for the in your saying:

the sign indicating that it is in a state of after the

is a compensation for (the loss of) the .

and its sisters, which is an As for the

they are these limited (number of) words which the Author (your father), (your brother), (your

enumerated and they are: wife's in-laws), with the

(your mouth) and as a substitute for the

(Possessor of Wealth). They are . You say:

26

(Your father, brother and wife's in-law were present, and your mouth and a possessor of wealth uttered). Similarly, you say: father) and you say: High says: (this is your

(your father is a pious man). Allah, the Most (And our father is an old man), (And truly, He is one (Indeed, I am your brother). Each and the sign indicating that it is in a state of . What comes after them in terms of the (wealth), or the word the is annexed). (knowledge) is a is

(from where their father ordered them), possessing knowledge) and thereof in these examples is the as a substitute for the

(personal pronoun) or the word (the Know that these to which a prior

are not declined in this way except with (certain)

conditions. Of these conditions some are stipulated for all of them (i.e. all of the ) and some are stipulated for some of them. As for the conditions that are stipulated for all of them, they are four conditions: the first is that they be third that they be . By stipulating being form of the been declined with , we exclude the case where they might be and . If they were (explicit vowels). You say: or in the (singular), the second that they be (annexed) and the fourth that they be (non-diminutive), the to other than the

then they would have (the (Your brothers are (Your

fathers raise their sons) and you say: your hand that you grasp with). Allah, the Most High says: fathers and your sons ), brotherhood), If they were the for

(Truly, the Believers are a single (So you became through His Bounty brothers).

then they would have been declined with the and

for

, and with

. An explanation thereof will follow shortly. You say: (Be well-mannered

(You parents raised you) and you say:

27

in the company and presence of your parents). Allah, the Most High said: (And he lifted his parents on to the throne) and (Make peace between your two brothers). If they were then they would have been and with the with the in the form of a

based on the aforementioned, and (These are fathers and

. You say:

brothers) and you say: ) have their plurals formed with the

(I saw fathers and bothers). None (of these and the except the words and

. The rule is that none of them should have their plurals formed in this way at all. By stipulating being , we exclude the case where they might be (explicit vowels). You say: (I saw a small (I passed by a small father , for then

they would be declined with

(this is a small father and a small brother) and you say: father and a small brother) and you say: and a small brother). By stipulating being

, we exclude the case where they might not be (explicit vowels). You say: (I saw a father) and you say:

, for

then they would also be declined with (this is a father) and you say:

(I

passed by a father). The same applies to the rest. Allah, the Most High says: (and he has a brother or a sister), he had stolen then he had a brother who stolen before), (He said: Bring to me a brother of yours from your father) and (Truly, he has an old father). By stipulating being might be to this to other then the , we exclude the case where they (If

, for then they would be declined with and what obstructs them from (My (I respect my (I do

(implicit vowels) on what is before the declension) by the vowel of

becoming apparent or explicit is the occupation of the place (i.e. the letter subject to (correspondence). You say:

father and my brother were present) and you say: father and my elder brother) and you say:

28

not speak in the presence of my father and my elder brother). Allah, the Most High says: (Truly, this is my brother), (I am Yusuf (And they threw it on my father's

and this is my brother) and face).

As for the conditions that are specific to some of them but not to the others, of them is that the word (your mouth) is not declined having this declension except on . Therefore, if the was attached to it then it

condition that it is stripped of the would have been declined with (This is a good mouth) and you say:

(explicit vowels). You say: I saw a good mouth) and you say:

(I looked at a good mouth). This condition applies to this word specifically over and above the four conditions that have been mentioned previously. Of them (i.e. these conditions) is that the word " " (possessor of ) is not declined having this declension except on two conditions: the first is that it has the meaning of (possessor, owner) and the second is that the be a non-descriptive substantive generic noun ( if it does not have the meaning of then it is such that it is to which it is should ). Therefore, (a relative pronoun)

(indeclinable). An example of it being a non-relative pronoun ( :

) is the statement of

(The possessor of intellect feels miserable in pleasure with his intellect, while the brother of ignorance rejoices in misery) These two conditions apply to this word specifically over and above the four conditions that have been mentioned previously.

29

Substitution of the The Author says: As for the I say: The the and it is it is a sign of in the

for the

specifically.

is a sign indicating that the word is in a state of , like: because it is a , and the

in one place and that is is is the as

(The two friends were present). and the sign indicating that it is compensates for (the loss of) the .

a substitute for the saying: The

in your

(friend) and it is an is every

denoting two masculine or two feminine objects with an addition and the (conjunction and

at its ending. This addition dispenses with the the noun conjoined), e.g. approached).

(The two 'Umars and two Hinds

is an utterance denoting two males each of whose name is and the

'Umar due to the presence of an addition at its ending. This addition is the and dispenses with having to bring the repeating the Similarly, the such that you say:

(Waw of conjunction) and ('Umar and 'Umar were present).

is also an utterance denoting two females each of whose name is and the in the

Hind. The cause for it denoting that is the addition of the example. The presence of the the and repeating the and the

obviates the need for having to bring (Hind and

by having to say:

Hind were present).

31

Substitution of the The Author says: As for the or the I say: The it is a sign of in the

for the

when a

,a

is attached to it.

is a sign indicating that the word, at whose ending it is, is that is predicated of the or predicated of the . , it is like: or

in one place. , predicated of the

And that is the

As for (the

) that is predicated of the

(The two male companions will travel tomorrow) and you are travelling tomorrow). due to it being stripped of a is the and likewise and a is a

(The two of that is

, and the sign indicating that it is ). The . sometimes begins is a and is

(fixing or attachment of the in a place of

(indeclinable and fixed) on the You have seen that the with the

that is predicated of the

to denote the third person as illustrated in the first example and sometimes to denote the second person as illustrated in the second example. ) that is predicated of the , it is like: (You two Hinds that is is

begins with the As for (the

(The two Hinds will travel tomorrow) and are travelling tomorrow). due to it being stripped of a the in the two examples is a and a

, and the sign indicating that it is ). The . ( ) is a and is

(fixing or attachment of the

(indeclinable and fixed) on the

in a place of

30

From this you know that the begin except with the

that is predicated of the

does not

to denote that the

is feminine and it is the same whether

it is in the third person as illustrated in the first example or in the second person as illustrated in the second example. As for (the ) that is predicated of the , it is like:

(The sincere men are the ones who carry out their duty) and (You, my people, are carrying out your duty). likewise a the is a that is due to it being stripped of a is the and and

, and the sign indicating that it is ). The . is a and is

(fixing or attachment of in a

(indeclinable and fixed) on the

place of

From this you know that the begins with the

that is predicated of this

sometimes

to denote the third person as illustrated in the first example and to denote the second person as illustrated in the second

sometimes begins with the example. As for (the

) that is predicated of the (You, O Hind, know your duty). is a

, it is like: that is is

due to it being stripped of a the

and a

, and the sign indicating that it is ). The . is a and is

(fixing or attachment of the

(indeclinable and fixed) on the The that the that is predicated of this is .

in a place of

does not begin except with the

which denotes

Thus, it can be summed for you that (the begins with the begins with the or the or the . , (the and (the

) which is predicated of the ) which is predicated of the similarly does

) which is predicated of the

not begin except with the

32

Their forms or paradigms are: are called:

and

. These forms

(the five verbs).

33

Signs of The Author said: For there are five signs: the , , , and .

I say: It is possible for you to adjudge a word to be at its ending: one of which is primary, viz. the the , , and . when you find one of five signs , and four that are secondary, viz.

34

The The Author said: As for the it is a sign of when a its end. I say: The

and its Places

in three places: the

and

enters on it and it does not have anything attached at

is a sign indicating that a word is in a state of , the second place is the

in four places: , the third place is ,

The first place is the the , As for the

which is preceded by a , nor a

and which does not have an suffixed to it. is

(single or double) or

its definition has been mentioned before. The (I met Ali) and because they are the is the in for example: and are two

at its and

ending in for example: are two which are

(I met Hind).

(in each case) and and the

the sign indicating that they are second is and . The is

. The first is

(I met the young lad) which are is the

(I spoke to Layla).

due to each of them being a

and the sign indicating that they are . The first is

and what obstructs its explicitness is is .

and the second

As for the at its ending, e.g. care of Hind). being the first is

its definition has also been mentioned before. The (I accompanied the men) and and are both which are is the

is (I took due to them . The

and the sign indicating that they are and the second is . The is sometimes

as in the statement

of the Most High: (Marry the widows).

(You will see people drunk) and and are two which are

35

due to them being the

and the sign indicating that they are .

is the

and what obstructs its explicitness is As for the aforementioned

, like the Most High's statement: is a which is is (It is a which is the

(We will continue to be devoted to it). by means of the . The

(will not), and the sign indicating that they are is sometimes as in:

pleases me that you are striving towards glory/nobility). by means of

(that, to) and the sign indicating that they are .

and what obstructs its explicitness is If the strike), a as in to it, then it is not with ' has a as in as in

(they masculine dual will not hit or

(you masculine plural will not hit or strike) or the (you feminine singular will not hit or strike) is attached with the . Instead, each of , is and is and is

and the sign indicating that they are ) while the in a place of , or is a

(dropping (indeclinable and

or omission of the fixed) on the follows. When a single as in is

. You will know the explanation thereof in what

whether double as in

(By Allah, you will not go) or

(By Allah, you will not go) is attached to its ending, then it in a place of .

(indeclinable and fixed) on a as in

When a

(You will not achieve glory except (indeclinable and fixed) on a

through chastity) is attached to its ending, then it is in a place of .

36

Substitution of the The Author said: As for the it is a sign of in the

for the

, e.g.

(I saw

you father and your brother) and whatever resembles that. I say: You know the declension with the for from what has gone before and the conditions for their , the for and the for . Now, we will is the presence (Help your

inform you that the sign indicating that one of these words is of the brother), at the end, e.g. (Respect your father),

(Visit your father-in-law),

(Clean your mouth) and

(Do not respect the possessor of wealth for his wealth). Each of , , , and in these examples is due to it is

occurring as the the another (the

therein, and the sign indicating that it is in a state of . Furthermore, each of them is and

as a substitute for the

(annexed to is the

) and what comes after it as regards the to which the is annexed).

37

Substitution of the The Author said: As for the it is a sign of in the

for the

I say: You know the from what was mentioned before. Now, we inform you is in a state of through the presence

that it is possible for you tell that this of the

at its end. This is like when you say: and of is a and the second a ), and the .

(the well-mannered lasses achieve glory). Each of and both are due to first being an

(descriptive or qualifying adjective) of the sign indicating that they are There is no place in which the is the

(before it which is as a substitute for the

substitutes for the

except this place.

38

Substitution of the YA' for the FATHAH The Author said: As for the it is a sign of in the and .

I say: You know the from what has gone before and likewise you know the

. Now we want to tell you that it is possible for you to know that one of them is in a state of the in the through the presence of the . The difference between the two is that and followed by a letter

is preceded by a letter bearing a while the in the .

bearing a

is preceded by a letter bearing a

and followed by a letter bearing a Example of the tree) and me and the other for my brother). Each of being the letter bearing a Furthermore, the . Example of the is: is:

(I saw two sparrows on top of the (My father bought two books, one for and is the is due to preceded by a .

, and the sign indicating that they are and followed by a letter bearing a is a compensation for the

, because it is

(that has been forfeited) in the

(Truly, the Believers (I

have earned the pleasure of their Lord) and advised the hard workers to embark or get down to studying). Each of and is is the a due to being the preceded by a letter bearing a

, and the sign indicating that they are and followed by a letter bearing is a compensation for the

, because it is (that was forfeited) in the

. Furthermore, the .

39

Substitution of the The Author said: As for the . I say: You know from what has preceded what the it is a sign of in the

for the

which are

with the

are. Now, we will tell you when you

that it is possible for you to know that each one of them is in a state of find the of and of their duties). Each of the sign indicating that it is (indeclinable and fixed) on the which is attached to the as in: and is the : , which is a sign of

, dropped or omitted. Examples of the in the Case (It pleases me that you are memorising your lessons) (It pains me that the lazy ones are neglectful is a that is , and the in a place of with is a , and that is

'. The same applies to that (It is pleases me that you are as in:

realising your wishes) and that which is attached to the

(It pains me that you are showing slackness in your duty) and you know how to decline and analyse them.

41

Signs of The Author said: For there are three signs: the , and .

I say: It is possible for you to adjudge a word to be things: the first is the and the third the when you find one of three . The second is the . For each of these

which is the primary (sign) in , both of which are secondary to the

three things there are places in which it occurs. We will mention for you their places in detail in what follows.

40

The The Author said: As for the it is a sign of and I say: For the . The first place is Ism meaning of it being as in: 'Ali), is that the .

and its Places

in three places: the

there are three places in which it is a sign indicating that the

is

. You know the meaning of it being is suffixed to its end. The

. The is the

(I ran to Muhammad),

(I am pleased with

(I benefited from keeping company with Khalid) and (Bakr's character impresses me). Each of and is due is the of what is . Thus, due the , being

to being entered on by a . Each of and

, and the sign indicating that it is is due to being the is also the

before it, and the sign indicating that it is , and are

(singular nouns) and are

suffixed to them. The second place is the meaning of " . You know from what has gone before the " and you know from (a discussion of) the first place here (in and that is like: (I

this section) the meaning of it being passed by honourable men) and brave companions). Each of and

(I am pleased with our is due to being entered on by a is the , and each of

, and the sign indicating that it is and the is due to being a

(descriptive or qualifying adjective) of is also the

(before it), and the sign indicating that it is

42

. Thus, due the

and

are

(plurals) and are

being suffixed to them. . You know from what has gone before the " and that is like: (I looked at the (I am pleased with female and is due to being entered on by a is the , and each of ) of the .

The third place is the meaning of "

well-mannered young girls) and devotee Muslims). Each of

, and the sign indicating that it is and is due to being a

(follower, in the form of a is also the .

(before it), and the sign indicating that it is Each of , , and is a

43

Substitution of the The Author said: As for the it is a sign of

for the

in three places: the

and

I say: For the there are three places in which it is a sign indicating that the is .

The first place is the

. You already know them and the conditions for their

declension from what has gone before, and that is like: (Greet your father on the morning of everyday), (Do not raise your voice above the voice of your eldest brother) and (Do not love the possessor of wealth except if he is wellmannered). Each of , and is is the , due to the . The entering

it, and the sign indicating that it is

in the first two is the

(personal pronoun of the second person masculine singular), and it is (annexed to) and third example is also The second place is the soldiers) and is on the and in a place of with the . (Look at the two and . The word in the

and that is like: (Greet the two friends). Each of

due to being entered on by the is the preceded by a letter bearing a and

, and the sign indicating that it is and followed by a letter bearing a is because it denotes two

. Furthermore, each of (masculine) objects. The third place is the two Bakrs) and and is

, like

(I am pleased with the (I looked at the humble Muslims). Each of

due to being entered on by the

, and the sign

44

indicating that it is by a letter bearing a

is the

preceded by a letter bearing a .

and followed

. Furthermore, each of them is

45

Substitution of the The Author said: As for the it is a sign of in the

for the

that is not

I say: For the there is only one instance in which it is a sign indicating that the , namely: the that is not . is that it does not take the is: "that which resembles the which is the in having two (verbal form) . The is

The meaning of it not being . The that is not

(secondary common causes), one of which goes back to the and the other to the (plural of (of the (meaning), or it has one

which stands in for two

) which are found in the

and which denote the secondary nature (being a proper

) and go back to the

are only two. The first is

noun) and the second is

(being a descriptive noun i.e. being of the type of be found

used for describing and qualifying). It is necessary that one of these two in the of two The in it. which are found in the are six (i.e. the noun debarred from the

) due to the presence

and which denote the secondary nature (of the , and they are: (being feminine) not with (being a foreign name), and the ),

) and go back to the the ( or

i.e. short or long),

(being a compound), (pattern of the verb) and of these (six) with

(addition of the

(deviation from another pattern). It is necessary that one in it (i.e. in the ). As for

be found with

, only one of three out of these (six , and .

) has to be present, and they are:

46

Examples of (Zaynab) and Examples of Examples of

with (Hamzah). with with

other than with the

are:

(Fatimah),

are: are:

(Idris),

(Ya'qub) and (Ma'dikarib),

(Ibrahim). (Belbecca),

(Qadikhan), Examples of (Ghatafan), (Qahtan) and Examples of (Taghlib) and Examples of (Hubal), Examples of (awake, wakeful). Examples of (better), and Examples of (other). As for the two with with with

(Buzurjamihr) and are: ('Affan),

(Ramahurmuz). (Marwan), ('Uthman), ('Imran),

(Sahban),

('Adnan). with (Tadmur). are: 'Umar, (Jumah), are: (Zufar), (Quzah) and (Rayyan), (Qutham), (Mudar). (full) and are: (Ahmad), (Yashkur), (Yazid),

(Zuhal i.e. Saturn), with

are:

(more generous, honourable),

(more beautiful). with are: (twos), (threes), (fours) and

, each of which stands in place of two which is

, they are: (short) or

(furthest plural form) and the (long). As for after its (mosques),

the rule for it is that the (i.e. the third additional (pulpits),

is

and occurring

) are two letters as in (most honourable

(most respected ones),

47

ones),

(most exemplary ones),

(menstruating women) and (unvowelled) as in:

(menstruating), or three letters the middle of which is (keys), (sparrows) and it is like: (claim). it is like: (), () and (red), (scholars). (), (candleholders).

As for the short (nearest) and As for the long (white),

(pregnant lady),

(furthest),

(good, becoming),

All these nouns that we have mentioned and those similar to them are not allowed to take the , and are with the as a substitute for the as in:

(May Allah send His Blessings on Ibrahim, His Friend) and (May Allah be pleased with 'Umar, the Commander of the Believers). Each of and is due to being entered on by the is the that is not or ) is as a substitute for the . What blocks and and what

, and the sign indicating that they are , because each one of them is an from being blocks (i.e. from having the from being is and , that is not and that it not be or it is

. Apply this to rest. , with the (annexed) to an that it be after it. ,

It is a condition for making the void of (the definite article) If it is accompanied by

(annexed) it is made

with the

as in the Most High's statement: mosques) and as in: Quraish).

(And you a in the (I passed by the beautiful damsel of the

48

Two Signs of The Author said: For there are two signs: the and .

I say: It is possible for you to adjudge a word to be things: the first is the when you find in it one of two . The second is

which is the primary (sign) for

which is the secondary sign. For each of these two signs there are places in which we will mention for you in what follows.

49

Place of the The Author said: As for the ending). I say: For the there is only one place in which it is a sign indicating that the is it is a sign of in the (with the sound

, and this place is the meaning of it being " the three Examples of the successful), (travel/s),

(with the sound ending). The " is that its ending (i.e. its final letter) is not one of , and . (is/are

(three weak letters) which are the are: (promise/s) and

(play/s),

(ask/s). So when you say:

(Ali did not play),

(no dim-witted person was successful), (Ibrahim did not is because of the is the .

(your brother did not travel) and promise Khalid anything), then each of these (particle of

) preceding it, and the sign indicating that it is is a .

Furthermore, each of these

51

Places of The Author said: As for and the I say: For is there are two places in which it is a mark and sign indicating that the word . The first place is the (with the weak ending). The " is that its ending (i.e. its final letter) is one of the , : and . (is/are it is a sign of which are in the with the . (with the weak ending)

meaning of it being " three Examples of the pleased), Examples of the (test/s), (desire/s),

(three weak letters) which are the whose ending is an (is/are distant) and whose ending is a :

(strive/s), (remain/s). (call/s), (grow/s). (give/s), (guide/s).

(hope/s),

(is/are elevated),

(is/are hard) and :

Examples of the (cover/s), Thus, when you say:

whose ending is a (revive/s), () and

(judge/s),

('Ali did not strive for honour), then , and the sign indicating that it is ) and the

is

due to it being preceded by a is the it (i.e. that the When you say: then is that is is (dropping/omission of the

before it is evidence for .

was there before). Furthermore, it is a

(Muhammad did not call except to the Truth), due to being preceded by a (dropping/omission of the was there before). , and the ) and the

sign indicating that it is

before it is evidence for it (i.e. that the

50

When you say: is that is is the

(Muhammad did not give except to Khalid), then due to it being preceded by a (dropping/omission of the was there before). which are with the and an (they (they (you feminine (they , and the sign ) and the

indicating that it is

before it is evidence for it (i.e. that the The second place is the

explanation thereof was already given. Examples of them are: masculine dual hit), masculine plural hit), singular hit). You say: (they feminine dual hit/ you dual hit), (you masculine plural hit) and (they masculine dual did not hit),

feminine dual did not hit/ you dual did not hit), not hit),

(they masculine plural did (you feminine that is due to it

(you masculine plural did not hit) and is a ) which is ,

singular did not hit). Each one of these being preceded by a that it is on the is the in a place of . (particle of

, and the sign indicating it or is a and is

. Furthermore, the

52

(Declinables) The Author said: Section The are two categories: a category declined by means of (letters). (vowel

markings) and a category declined by means of I say:

The Author May Allah have mercy on him intends by this section to explain in a general way the rule concerning what was previously discussed in detail in the places of declension. The places whose rules as regards declension were mentioned in detail are eight, and they are: the , , the , , , are divided and the second ,

which does not have anything attached at its end, and

. Furthermore, these types i.e. the places of

into two categories: the first category is declined by means of category is declined by means of detail.

. Each of these types will be discussed in

53

(Declinable by means of vowel markings) The Author said: Section That which is declined by means of , , the , (vowel markings) are four things: which does not have anything

attached at its end. I say: The are three: the , and . The is affiliated to them. You

know that the by means of

(declinables) are of two categories: the first category is declined and the second category is declined by means of . This

(here) is the onset of the discussion of the first category which is declined by means of , and constitutes four things: (1) the like: (Muhammad) and (the lesson) when you say: is a is a . is the is a . Each of and is that is and is that is on and the

(Muhammad revised the lesson). the with no place in (declension). is the

sign indicating that it is

and the sign indicating that it is an (2) the . like:

(pupils) and

(the lessons) when you say: is a is a . is the is a . Each of and is that is and that is

(the pupils memorised the lessons). on the with no place in (declension). is the

and the sign indicating that it is

and the sign indicating that it is is an .

54

(3) The when you say: the prayers). (declension). the is the (4) The .

like:

(female Believers) and

(the prayers)

(the female Believers are Allah-conscious in is a is a is . Each of that is and is through and on the with no place in is

and the sign indicating that it is

and the sign indicating that it is is an .

which does not have anything attached at its end like (Muhammad goes/is going). and a that is is

(goes/is going) when you say: that is indicating that it is indicating that it is

due it being stripped of is the is the . . is a

, and the sign and the sign

55

The general rule for the declension of the excluded from it The Author said: Section All of them are and things: the that is not is I say: is with the with the ,

with

, and what is

with the

with the

. Excluded from that (i.e. this general rule) are three is with the with the (instead of the ) and the ). ), the

(instead of the

with the dropping of its ending (instead of the

The general rule pertaining to the four things that are declined with with the . As for with the , with the , with the and

is to be with the

all of them (i.e. these four categories of word) proceed with the ,

according to what is the norm for them, so that all of them are e.g. are traveling). is

(Muhammad, the friends and the female Believers that is due it being stripped of is the is the . is a and a that is

, and the sign indicating that it is and the sign indicating that it is . is a (which is furthermore a As for with the is because it is

and it is furthermore an (which

(i.e. conjoined) to the is the

) and the sign indicating that it is . is

and it is furthermore (i.e. conjoined) to the is the and it is

because it is also

) and the sign indicating that it is .

all of them (i.e. these four categories of word) proceed for it is

according to what is the norm for them except the

56

with the

as a substitute for the

, e.g. is

(I will not oppose Muhammad, the friends and the female Believers) ). that is is the that it is is by means of . is also the because it is is a

(will not), and the sign indicating that it is that is and the sign indicating as you know. (which is

and it is furthermore an (i.e. conjoined) to the is the because it is also

) and the sign indicating that it is as you know. (which is substitute for the As for with the is

and it is furthermore a (i.e. conjoined) to the is the as a

) and the sign indicating that it is because it is a .

all of them (i.e. these four categories of word) proceed for it is not with the at as a

according to what is the norm for them except the all and except for the substitute for the , e.g. that is not for it is

(I passed by is and and

Muhammad, the men, the female Believers and Ahmad). the is a is also the is . is a with the

and the sign indicating that it is as you know. (which is and it is furthermore a (i.e. conjoined) is the is because it

and it is furthermore an because it is (i.e. conjoined) to the is the is because it is also

) and the sign indicating that it is as you know. to the (which is and it is furthermore a is also that it is (i.e. conjoined) to the is the

) and the sign indicating that it is as you know. (which is

) and the sign indicating because it is an that is not

as a substitute for the (i.e. the

and what bars it from the and

) is

(being a proper noun)

(the pattern specific to the verb).

57

As for if it is , e.g.

with the

you know that (of sound ending) the its

is specific to the is with the (did not) is a

. Therefore, as is the norm for

(Khalid did not travel).

(i.e. particle of negation,

and transformation i.e. transforming the verb's tense is is the is the that is . by means of is a . If the that is is

from the present or future to the past). (did not), and the sign indicating that it is and the sign indicating that it is then its letter), e.g. what was incumbent upon him). Each of and the sign indicating that it is before it is evidence for it (i.e. that the and the in before). is with the

(dropping or omission of the weak (Bakr did not strive, invite and fulfill , is the and is a in and the in that

was there before), the

before it is evidence for it (i.e. that the and the

was there before) and the was there

before it is evidence for it (i.e. that the

58

(Declinable by means of letters) The Author said: That which is declined by means of , and I say: The second category of the is the things that are declined by means of are four: the , , and . That . and (letters) are four categories: the and they are: , , , ,

(letters). The letters that act as a sign of

which is declined with these letters is four things: (1) The , and what is meant by it is the , e.g. (the two cities), (the two men). (the Bakrs) and

(the two Muhammads), (2) The , e.g. (the Muhammads). (3) The

(the two Bakrs) and (the Muslims),

, and they are:

(your father), (your mouth) and

(your brother), (a possessor of

(your in-law from your wife's side), wealth). (4) The and they are:

(they masculine dual hit), (they masculine plural understand),

(they

feminine dual/you dual write),

(you masculine plural memorise/protect) and the night).

(you feminine singular stay up

An explanation of the declension of each one of these four things will follow in detail.

59

(Declension of the Dual) The Author said: As for the it is with the , and with the .

I say: The first of the things that are declined with letters is the , which is the . , and as you

know. You already know from what has gone before the definition of the The rule for it is that it is with the vowelled with a after the . This or the with the as a substitute for the

preceded by a letter vowelled with a as a substitute for the is a or

and followed by a letter . Further extended to it that is in the

which compensates for the (annexation).

is not dropped except during that is is

An example of the

(the two judges and is the is because it is

attended/came and two men said). Each of a and the sign indicating that it is , and the

as a substitute for the (that was forfeited in) the

because it is a . An example of the

compensates for the

that is

is

(I like the two and is the

well-mannered persons and detest the two lazy persons). Each of is because it is a and the sign indicating that it is

preceded by a letter vowelled with a as a substitute for the (forfeited in) the .

and followed by a letter vowelled with a , and the compensates for the

because it is a

61

An example of the

that is

is and is

(I looked at due to is the

the two horsemen on the two horses). Each of the

entering on it and the sign indicating that it is

preceded by a letter vowelled with a as a substitute for the (forfeited in) the .

and followed by a letter vowelled with a , and the compensates for the

because it is a

60

(Declension of the Masculine Sound Plural) The Author said: As for the it is with the , and with the .

I say: The second of the things that are declined with letters is the already know from what has gone before the definition of the The rule for it is that it is with the with the as a substitute for the , . and . You

preceded by a letter vowelled with a as a substitute for the is a or

and followed by a . Further extended to it that is in the of the . (The Muslims

letter vowelled with a after the . This or the

which compensates for the (annexation) like the that is are

is dropped during

Examples of the attended/came) and of and is the is

(Those ordering Good are successful). Each because it is a and the sign indicating that it is , and the . (I saw the Muslims) and is the

as a substitute for the

because it is a

compensates for the Examples of the and is

(that was forfeited in) the that is are

(I respected those ordering Good). Each of because it is a and the sign indicating that it is

preceded by a letter vowelled with a as a substitute for the compensates for the

and followed by a letter vowelled with a , and the

because it is a .

(forfeited in) the

62

Examples of the

that is

are

(I got in (May Allah be pleased

contact with those who order Good) and with the Believers). Each of and is is the

due to the preceded by a letter as a substitute for

entering on it and the sign indicating that it is vowelled with a the

and followed by a letter vowelled with a , and the

because it is a .

compensates for the

(forfeited in) the

63

(Declension of the Five Nouns) The Author said: As for the with the I say: The third of the things that are declined with letters is the know from what has gone before the meaning and essence of the The rule for it is that it is the . Examples of the that are are (When your father (You brother came/arrived from is because it is a and the sign indicating , . (Obey your is because it is a because as a substitute for the with the and as a substitute for the with the , . You already . with . they are with the , with the and

as a substitute for the

orders you than obey him) and his travel). Each of that it is and the is the is a and

as a substitute for the that is on the

because it is a in a place of are

Examples of the

that are and is the is a

father and love your brother). Each of and the sign indicating that it is it is a , and the

as a substitute for the that on the

in a place of

as in the previous case. Examples of the and to the that are are (Listen to your father) and is due is the

(Be kind to your brother). Each of

entering on it and the sign indicating that it is

64

substitute for the on the

because it is a

, and the

is a

that

in a place of

as in the previous case.

65

(Declension of the Five Verbs) The Author said: As for the dropping thereof. I say: The fourth of the things that are declined with letters is the know from what has gone before the meaning and essence of the The rule for them is that they are the . Examples of the feminine dual write) and Each one of them is a that are are: (you masculine dual/they , and with the fixing of the . You already . as a substitute for or they are with the , and with the

with the dropping of this

as a substitute for the

(you masculine dual/they feminine dual understand). that is due to it being stripped of a is the and is . The is the and

and the sign indicating that it is

(personal pronoun denoting the dual) being a on the in a place of . that are are:

(indeclinable and fixed)

Examples of the

(you masculine dual/they

feminine dual will not be sad) and will not fail). Each one of them is a sign indicating that it is is the

(you masculine dual/they feminine dual that is . The and is with (will not) and the is the (personal

pronoun denoting the dual) being a in a place of Examples of the . that are

(indeclinable and fixed) on the

are:

(you masculine dual/they

feminine dual did not study) and

(you masculine dual/they feminine dual did

66

not understand). Each one of them is a sign indicating that it is is the

that is . The and is

with (did not) and the is the (personal

pronoun denoting the dual) being a in a place of .

(indeclinable and fixed) on the

67

The The Author said:

and its types

(Chapter on the The are of three types: the , and

) , like: (beat, hit, struck), (Beat, Hit, Strike).

(beat/will beat, hit/will hit, strike/will strike) and

I say: The is divided into three types: , which is that which denotes the occurrence of something (hit, beat, strike), (reckon, think), (help, (be noble,

The first type is the

before the time of speaking (of the speaker), e.g. aid), (open, conquer), (know),

generous), etc. The second type is the , which is that which denotes the occurrence of (hit/will

something during or after the time of speaking (of the speaker), e.g. hit, beat/will beat, strike/will strike), (open/will open, conquer/will conquer), reckon, think/will think), The third type is the

(help/will help, aid/will aid), (know/will know), (reckon/will

(is/will be noble, is/will be generous), etc. , which is that whereby the occurrence of something after the (Hit, Beat, Strike), (Reckon, Think),

time of speaking (of the speaker) is requested, e.g. (Help, Aid), (Open, Conquer), (Know),

(Be noble, Be generous), etc. We mentioned this division (of the ) to you at the beginning of the book and we

mentioned together with it the characteristics or defining signs of each of these three types.

68

The Rules of the The Author said: (Chapter on the The always ends in the , the is always ) and the until a is that which or

has at its beginning one of the four additional letters grouped together in your statement: enters upon it. I say: After the Author mentioned the types of each type thereof. The rule for the . As for the which is it occurs in the ( nor the or a , like: ) [strong ending (verb)] attached to it as well as in (honoured), (forwarded, (Zaynab (was wretched) and is to be on the , and this is either or he commences with an explanation of (I matured, drew near) and it is always

that does not have the every whose ending is a

placed before),

(travelled) and like: (was pleased),

travelled and Su'ad came) and like: like: As for the (was generous) and that is

(was obscene, lewd).

, it is of three types because: due to and this is in the case of every , e.g. (call, invite, supplicate), that is , and that is the case of every to which on a on the whose ending (strive, what

it is either

(i.e. final letter) is an run), for each of them is a obstructs its explicitness is or the the is due to

is attached, e.g.

(they masculine plural write),

69

(they masculine plural are happy), for each of them is a a

that is

on

on its final letter and what obstructs its explicitness is the

occupation of the place (of declension) by the vowel of (correspondence) and the in a place of or the is , due to avoiding the repugnance of the consecutive to which the ) is in each case is a that is on the

following of four vowelled letters (i.e. the intinterrupted sequence of four vowelled letters) and that is in the case of every

(vowelled personal pronoun occurring in the place of suffixed, like the feminine plural), e.g. ( indicating the (I wrote), ) or the (

denoting

(you masculine singular wrote), (we wrote) and is a that is (they on a

(you feminine singular wrote), feminine plural wrote), for each of these

on its final letter and what obstructs its explicitness is the occupation of the place (of declension) by a that appears temporarily for , or is a . . then

the purpose of repelling the repugnance of the consecutive following of four vowelled letters in what is similar to a single word, and the that is The rule for the So if its the that is the is is on the on the is that it is , , or

and occupies a place of is with the or . The

on the sign with which its

(i.e. of a strong ending) and . Furthermore, this is either ) to be

has two places. The first is for it (i.e. the (

(i.e. of (Hit!) and (Write! feminine it has one place

a strong ending) and not have anything suffixed to it, and the second is for it to have denoting feminine plural) suffixed to it, e.g. (Hit! feminine plural) and . As for the that is

(Write!) and likewise plural) being predicated of the which is for it (i.e. the (Hit!!) and

) to have the (Write!!) and like:

whether the single or double like: (Hit!!!) and (Write!!!).

71

If the

is

then it is

with the thereof is on the

(dropping or ,

omission of the weak letter) and hence the e.g. If the (Call!, Invite!), is of the

(Judge!, Spend!) and then it is thereof is

(Strive!). with the on the (dropping or , e.g.

omission of the (Write! dual),

), and hence the

(Write! masculine plural) and

(Write! feminine singular). is to have at its beginning an (I was (they feminine

Furthermore, the characteristic sign of the

additional letter out of four letters grouped together by your statement: slow), or your statement: plural came) or your statement: The (I was distant), or your statement: (we come/will come).

is for (signifying) the first person (speaker) masculine or feminine,like: is for (signifying) the first person

(I masculine or feminine understand), the like:

(speaker) who exalts himself or the first person with whom there is someone else, (we understand i.e. a single speaker who exalts himself or a speaker with is for (signifying) the third person (absentee), is for (signifying) the second person

whom there is someone else), the likle:

(he stands/will stand) and the

(addressee) or the third person feminine singular (and dual),like: (You understand, O Muhammad, your duty) and like: (Zaynab understands her duty). If these (four) letters are not additional but are from the root or stem of the (ate), (transferred, transport), and , like:

or the letter is additional but (honoured) . whether it is single is suffixed to it then it , like the Most High's

does not signify the meaning that we have mentioned (for it), like: and (progressed, advanced), then the is that it is is and not

The rule for the or double or the (i.e. the ) is

as long as the

is not suffixed to it. If the with it (i.e. the ) on the

70

statement: be amongst the humiliated ones) and if the on the

(He will most certainly be imprisoned and is suffixed then it is (with it) (The

, like the Most High's statement:

mothers should suckle their children). When it is or then it is , e.g. that is indicating that it is . If it is entered on (i.e. governed by) a (A hardworker will never be disappointed). tense), the is the is a and . that makes it , like (i.e. particle of negation, that is is a that makes it is a and the sign indicating that it is that is , like (future is as long as it is not entered on (i.e. governed by) a (Muhammad understands/will understand). due to it being stripped of a is the and is a and a that is is a

and the sign with the

and the sign indicating that it is

If it is entered on (i.e. governed by) a (Ibrahim did not feel anxious). is a

and transformation i.e. transforming the verb's tense from the present or future to the past), is the the and . is a is a that is that is and the sign indicating that it is and the sign indicating that it is is

72

(Nasb-effectors of the Mudari') The Author said: The therefore), ), the point of), are ten, and they are: (so that, in order to), (the (to), (will not, will never), (the (in that case,

denoting the meaning of (until, up to, to ),

which emphasises a previous negation),

(the verbal compliment introduced by the ) and

(the verbal compliment introduced by the

(until, unless, except).

I say: The instruments (in this case particles only) after which the ten particles and are threegroups: a group effecting by means of effecting is are

by itself, a a group effecting

that is optionally dormant or latent after it and a group that is obligatorily dormant or latent after it. by itself it consists of four particles,

by means of

As for the first group that which effects and they are: As for , , and .

(to, that) it is a

(particle denoting the and signifying the future tense), and an (I desire Him to (And I fear that the wolf (Indeed, It saddens me

infinitive or verbal noun, effecting

illustation of it is the Most High's statement: forgive me), and His statement: will eat him), and His statement: greatly that you are taking him) and His statement: (They all agreed to place him into the depths of the well).

73

As for

(in that case, thus, therefore, hence) it is a ). Three conditions are

(particle denoting response, the consequence and stipulated for the The first is that denoting the resonse). The second is the to be made by it:

must occur at the beginning of the occurring after it must denote the future tense.

(sentence

The third is that nothing must separate between it and the (oath), (addressing the listener), or the (negative ).

except the

An example of you:

meeting the conditions is like when one of your brothers says to (I will work hard in my studies) and you say to him:

(In that case, you will pass). An example of where it is separated by means of a is when you say: (In that case by Allah you will pass). is when you say:

An example of where it is separated by means of a

(In that case O Muhammad you will pass). An example of where it is separated by means of the negative is when you say: (In that

case your effort and striving will not be in vain) or you say: (In that case by Allah your work would not have gone to waste). As for make [to, (in order) to] it is a with it that it be preceded by the is verbally expressed) as in . It is required in order to ( of Causation) explicitly (in order that you do not is not verbally

(such that the

despair) or that it be preceded by this expressed)

implicitly (such that the

74