Sibawayhs

Sibawayh, also transliterated Sibawaih, was a Persian grammarian active in the Basra region in the late 8th century CE. He is regarded as one of the foundational figures in the development of Arabic grammar, and his work helped establish the Basran approach to linguistic analysis.

His most famous work is Kitab al-Kitab (The Book), a comprehensive treatise on Arabic grammar that examines syntax, morphology, and phonology. The Kitab presents rules for word formation, sentence structure, case endings, and the use of particles, and it draws extensively on examples from the Qur’an and classical poetry. Although attributed to Sibawayh, the text is known through later manuscripts and commentaries, and some scholars note that portions may reflect later additions or editorial work by students and subsequent grammarians.

Sibawayh’s method emphasized systematic classification of linguistic phenomena and a close reading of language data to establish general rules. He helped articulate foundational concepts such as syntax, the role of case endings, and the analysis of nominal phrases and verbal constructions. The work also contributed to the development of the concept of idafa, the construct state used to express genitive and possessive relationships in Arabic.

The Kitab al-Kitab became the cornerstone of the Basran school and influenced numerous later grammarians and lexicographers. It shaped scholarly debate on grammar for centuries and remains a central reference in studies of classical Arabic language and Islamic linguistic tradition. Sibawayh is typically dated to around 760–796 CE, and his legacy persists in how Arabic grammar is understood and taught.