Al-Jawhari: A Reader of Sibawaih

Abstract

The reader of the rich lexical heritage would pause upon unique and magnificent masterpieces; of those are texts, opinions, and sayings scattered in the folds of this heritage attributed to Sibawaih (died 180 Hijri). These texts, opinions, and sayings require documentation, scrutiny, study, and criticism. Thus, this study has come into being to embrace this endeavor. The scope of the study is Sihah Al-Jawhari (died 400 Hijri, unconfirmed). There are many reasons behind this choice: first, a large number of texts and sayings that are attributed to Sibawaih in many dictionaries have cited Al-Jawahari; second, many Arabic authentic dictionaries such as (Lisan al-Arab and Taj al-Arus) belong to the school of 'Al-qafiyah', whose pioneer was al-Jawhari; therefore, if the original dictionary is investigated, the search will draw on all other sub-dictionaries; third, the scientific status of al-Jawhari and his education on the hands of two famous interpreters of Sibawaih's book, al-Sirafi (died in 368 Hijri) and al-Farisi (died in 377 Hijri), which makes it worthy of study; fourth, al-Jawhari is unique in what he attributes to Sibawaih in some articles of his dictionary. The study deals with all issues in the first part of Sihah al-Jawhari as divided by its editor (may Allah's mercy be upon him), and it is the foundation of this scientific product which will continue (if Allah wills).