Grammatical Studies in the Explanation of the Comprehensive Introduction by Shihab al-Din Ahmad ibn Uthman ibn Busaybis al-Zubaydi (d. 768 AH)

The significance of Al-Muqaddimah Al-Muhasabah (The Calculated Introduction) by Shihab al-Din bin Busaibis al-Zubaidi lies in its status as a highly indicative scholarly document reflecting the movement of codification in the eighth century AH. It offers a practical model of the pedagogical methodologies adopted by the scholars of that era to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and summarize its fundamental principles within structured, concise frameworks. This importance further extends to the historical dimension; the examination of this text contributes to bridging the historical gaps regarding the scholarly figures who influenced and advanced Islamic thought. Moreover, it provides researchers with an opportunity to elucidate the stylistic and linguistic features of the scientific language during that epoch. Investigating this commentary represents an important contribution to manuscript editing and publication and bringing archival texts to light, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the Arabic scholarly heritage and providing new perspectives for historical and methodological studies pertaining to the evolution of Arabic sciences during the Mamluk era. Consequently, this topic has been selected, titled: "Grammatical Studies in the Explanation of the Commentary of Al-Muqaddimah Al-Muhasabah by Shihab al-Din Ahmad bin Uthman bin Busaibis al-Zubaidi (d. 768 AH)." Despite Al-Zubaidi's prominence in grammatical studies, a noticeable scarcity remains in academic research that subjects his work to analysis and commentary. By virtue of its nature, this research has been structured into four chapters, preceded by an introduction and a preliminary overview, and concluded with a general epilogue along with a bibliography of the primary sources and references utilized in compiling this thesis. The preliminary overview provides a biographical sketch of Al-Zubaidi, shedding light on his book Sharh Al-Muqaddimah Al-Muhasabah by defining its scope, outlining its methodology, and identifying its source material. Chapter One addresses the foundations of grammar (Usul al- Nahw) according to Al-Zubaidi, divided into three sections: Section One explores transmitted usage (Al-Sama'); Section two examines analogical reasoning (Al-Qiyas); and Section Three investigates consensus (Al-Ijma') and the presumption of continuity (Istishab al-Hal). Chapter Two examines nouns (Al-Asma') and is structured into three sections: Section One covers nouns in the nominative case (Al-Marfu'at); Section Two deals with nouns in the accusative case (Al-Mansubat); and Section Three discusses nouns in the genitive case (Al-Majrurat). Chapter Three investigates verbs (Al-Af'al) through three sections: Section One focuses on the past tense verb (Al-Fi'l al-Madi); Section Two analyzes the present/future tense verb (Al-Fi'l al-Mudari'); and Section Three examines the imperative verb (Fi'l al-Amr). Chapter Four is dedicated to particles (Al-Huruf) and is divided into three sections: Section One details uniliteral particles; Section Two addresses biliteral particles; and Section Three examines triliteral particles and beyond. Finally, the study concludes with an epilogue summarizing the research outcomes and the main finding of the study followed by an index of the sources and references relied upon for the completion of this research.