Abu Hayyan›s Method in Challenging the Views of Other Grammarians: Through His Irthishaf al-Darb AH 1448 /AD 2026

This study examines the methodology and scholarly tools employed by Athir al-Din Abu Hayyan al-Gharnati in his grammatical and morphological objections. It explores how Abu Hayyan moved beyond transmitting the views of the Basran and Kufan schools to become a discerning critic who evaluated grammatical opinions according to established principles and authentic Arabic usage. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the study analyzes Abu Hayyan’s argumentative methods, including his rejection of inaccurate transmission, correction of misattributed views, reference to Sibawayh’s texts, and reliance on authenticated linguistic evidence. It comprises a preface introducing Abu Hayyan, his scholarly status, his book Irtishaf al-Darb, and the concept of objection, followed by two chapters addressing the forms and types of his objections. The findings reveal that sama‘ (attested linguistic evidence), represented by the Holy Quran, canonical readings, and eloquent Arabic poetry, constituted Abu Hayyan’s primary criterion for accepting or rejecting grammatical rules. He therefore rejected analogies that contradicted reliable usage. The study also demonstrates his tendency to free grammar from excessive philosophical reasoning and artificial interpretation, favoring simplicity and adherence to established usage. His objections reflected objective scholarly judgment rather than doctrinal bias and aimed to preserve linguistic heritage. The study recommends treating Irtishaf al-Darb as a comprehensive grammatical encyclopedia and further investigating the critical contributions of prominent later grammarians.