nahwu

Nahwu is the study of Arabic grammar and syntax. It describes how words combine to form phrases and sentences, and how their forms reflect grammatical function. Central concerns include sentence structure, the marking of case endings (i'rab), and the distinction between nominal (jumla ismiyya) and verbal (jumla fi'liya) constructions, as well as the roles of subject, predicate, verb, and related particles.

The term nahwu derives from the Arabic root n-h-w, meaning to incline or bend, a metaphor for how words are arranged according to fixed rules. In early Islamic scholarship, Basri and Kufan grammarians developed competing traditions that laid the groundwork for Arabic syntax. The most influential later reference is Sibawayh’s Kitab al-Kitab, a comprehensive account of Arabic grammar that systematized many rules. Sibawayh’s work built on earlier contributions by scholars such as al-Farahidi, who advanced aspects of diacritics and prosody essential to precise grammar.

Key concepts include i'rab (case endings) and the states marfuʿ (nominative), mansūb (accusative), and majrūr (genitive). The framework distinguishes jumla ismiyya (nominal sentences) and jumla fi'liyya (verbal sentences), and identifies grammatical roles such as fa'il (subject of a verb) and maf'ūl bih (object). Particles (harf) and their governing relationships, as well as agreement and word order, are also treated within the system.

Modern relevance: nahwu remains foundational in the study of Classical and Modern Standard Arabic. It is taught in schools and universities, essential for interpreting Qur’an and Hadith, and remains a core component of formal Arabic writing and comprehension. Notable figures include Sibawayh, al-Farahidi, and the Basri and Kufan grammarians.