Alfiyah Ibn Malik

✍️ Imam Ibnu Malik Al-Andalusi — died 672H

The great nazham of the science of nahwu and sharaf by Imam Ibnu Malik Al-Andalusi (d. 672 H) which contains a thousand stanzas (alfiyah = thousand). Covers almost all Arabic grammar rules systematically, from kalam to complex sharaf problems. Becoming the pinnacle of nahwu learning in Islamic boarding schools; The students who recited it were considered to be solid in Arabic grammar.

Chapters

Chapter 1: Muqaddimah & Kalam

الْمُقَدِّمَةُ وَالْكَلَامُ

Stanzas 1-5: Alfiyah's opening

مَطْلَعُ الْأَلْفِيَّةِ

قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ هُوَ ابْنُ مَالِكِ *** أَحْمَدُ رَبِّيَ اللهَ خَيْرَ مَالِكِ مُصَلِّيًا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الْمُصْطَفَى *** وَآلِهِ الْمُسْتَكْمِلِينَ الشَّرَفَا وَأَسْتَعِينُ اللهَ فِي أَلْفِيَّةْ *** مَقَاصِدُ النَّحْوِ بِهَا مَحْوِيَّةْ

Translation

Said Muhammad — Ibn Malik: I praise Allah. Blessings be upon Prophet Al-Mushthafa and his family. I ask Allah's help in this Alfiyah - which contains all the aims of the science of nahwu.

Commentary

Alfiyah Ibnu Malik (1002 verses) is a nahwu masterpiece that summarizes Sibawaih to linguist scholars. 'Maqashidun-nahwi biha mahwiyyah' = all the goals of nahwu are here. Students who memorize and understand are considered nahwu experts.

Stanzas 6-10: Kalam, Kalim, Isim

الْكَلَامُ وَالِاسْمُ

كَلَامُنَا لَفْظٌ مُفِيدٌ كَاسْتَقِمْ *** وَاسْمٌ وَفِعْلٌ ثُمَّ حَرْفٌ الْكَلِمْ بِالْجَرِّ وَالتَّنْوِينِ وَالنِّدَا وَأَلْ *** وَمُسْنَدٍ لِلِاسْمِ تَمْيِيزٌ حَصَلْ

Translation

Kalam = lafazh which contains meanings such as 'Istikim!'. Kalim = isim, fi'il, harf. Isim is distinguished by: jar, tanwin, nida', alif-lam, and used as a backing (musnad ilaih).

Commentary

Ibn Malik added 'nida'' (يَا زَيْدُ) and 'musnad ilaih' (made subject) as signs of isim — more complete than Jurumiyyah. 'Istikim!' = one word but the word is perfect because the command is clear.