al-Mustadrak ala Mujam al-Manahi al-Lafziya

Author died
1443 AH
Editions
Dār Ṭaybah lil-Nashr wal-Tawzīʻ

al-Mustadrak ‘ala Mu‘jam al-Manahi al-Lafziyya (The Supplement to the Lexicon of Prohibited Verbal Usages) is a treatise by the Saudi author Sulayman al-Kharashi (d. 1443 AH / 2021 CE), written as a supplementary compilation to Bakr Abu Zayd's reference work Mu‘jam al-Manahi al-Lafziyya on religiously objectionable and prohibited expressions.

Background and Purpose

Al-Kharashi noted that Bakr Abu Zayd's Mu‘jam al-Manahi al-Lafziyya had become a central reference work on the subject of verbal errors and improper phrasings, inspiring numerous subsequent writings. Noting that Abu Zayd did not aim to be exhaustive in either the first edition (which contained around 800 expressions) or the third edition (which expanded to around 1,500 expressions), al-Kharashi recorded additional prohibited or objectionable terms encountered during his wide readings across Islamic scholarly literature. He subsequently compiled these findings into an independent supplementary volume (mustadrak).

Structure and Methodology

The work incorporates several specific methodological principles outlined by the author:

  • Source Citations: Al-Kharashi's primary contribution consists of extracting objectionable phrases and commentary directly from classical and contemporary Islamic texts, citing his references in the footnotes.
  • Elaboration of Existing Entries: In certain instances, he revisits phrases already noted briefly by Abu Zayd, providing expanded commentary when finding sources with additional points of benefit.
  • Arrangement: The entries within the main body of the work are recorded in the order of their compilation rather than alphabetically, allowing for seamless additions in future editions; however, an alphabetical index is provided at the back of the book to facilitate reader access.
  • Introductory Article: The supplement opens with an introductory article by Sayyid al-‘Arabi, originally published in al-Bayan magazine (issue 167), titled Mas’uliyyat al-Kalima: Da‘wa li-Tashih Alfazina Kama Nusahhih Niyyatina (The Responsibility of the Word: A Call to Correct Our Expressions as We Correct Our Intentions).

Answer updated