The Evolutionary Stages of Terminology in the Foundation of Arabic Grammar: A Historical and Descriptive Study

Abstract

This study aims to study the evolutionary stages of terminology within the foundations of Arabic grammar (Usul al Nahw) from its first appearance in Sibawayh’s ‟Al- kitab”. Its emergence coincided with the collection and documentation of the Arabic language by early scholars to preserve their religion and clear Arabic tongue. This process was termed ‟Al - Sama” (auditory transmission/ hearsay) or ‟Al- Naql” (transmission), forming the primary foundation for Islamic and Arabic sciences, including grammar and morphology.

     Subsequently, ‟Al - Qiyas” (analogical reasoning) emerged as the second principle. Both ‟Al- Sama” and ‟Al- Qiyas” are agreed upon by grammarians.

     Tracing these principles and foundations reveals their evolution over the centuries, giving rise to terms such as ‟Al-Ijma” (consensus), ‟Istishhab al Hal” (presumption of continuity), ‟Al- Illa” (causality), ‟Al- Istihsan” (juridical preference), ‟Adam al Nazir” (lack of a parallel), and ‟Adam al Dalil” (absence of evidence), among others.

     Recently, these classical principles have faced modern linguistic critiques calling for their critical review and organization into integrated theoretical framework.