Taqwim al-Lisanayn

Taqwim al-Lisanayn ("Rectification of the Two Tongues") is a work on modern Arabic linguistic correction and stylistic errors by the Moroccan scholar Muhammad Taqi al-Din al-Hilali (1311–1407 AH / 1893–1987 CE) Taqwim al-Lisanayn+1. It addresses prevalent grammatical, lexical, and stylistic errors in contemporary spoken and written Arabic Taqwim al-Lisanayn.

Background and Title

The title of the book derives from the classical Arabic saying that "the pen is one of the two tongues" (العرب تقول: القلم أحد اللسانين), signifying that the work is intended to rectify errors in both oral expression and writing Taqwim al-Lisanayn. Al-Hilali situated his treatise within the traditional genre of linguistic correction (lahn al-khawass and lexical purism), citing predecessors such as al-Qasim ibn Ali al-Hariri's Durrat al-Ghawwas fi Awham al-Khawass, Shihab al-Din al-Khafaji's Shifa al-Ghalil, Ibrahim al-Yaziji's Lughat al-Jara'id, and As'ad Daghir's Tadhkirat al-Katib Taqwim al-Lisanayn.

The material originated as a series of critical articles composed across different periods, including instalments written in Medina in 1391 AH Taqwim al-Lisanayn+1. Al-Hilali stated that his motivation was to safeguard the language of the Quran from corruption, foreign calques, and cumbersome phrasing that had become common even among educated writers Taqwim al-Lisanayn.

Scope and Methodology

The work identifies and corrects widespread contemporary linguistic errors, drawing proof-texts from the Quran, prophetic hadith, classical Arabic poetry, and authoritative lexicons such as al-Fayruzabadi's al-Qamus al-Muhit and Ibn Manzur's Lisan al-Arab Taqwim al-Lisanayn+1. Among the specific solecisms and calques al-Hilali critiques are:

• The substitution of taslih (تصليح) for the correct term islah (إصلاح), demonstrating that the root used in the Quran and classical lexicons for setting things right is aslaha Taqwim al-Lisanayn.
• The modern borrowing tabsit (تبسيط) in the sense of making something easy or accessible (tashil), showing that bast and tabsit classical mean expansion and spreading rather than simplification Taqwim al-Lisanayn.
• The use of the word ishq (عشق, passionate or physical love) to express the love of God or His Messenger ﷺ, demonstrating that the Quran and authentic hadiths consistently employ derivatives of hubb (حب) rather than ishq Taqwim al-Lisanayn.
• The misuse of formulas of tamanni (تمني, wishing for the impossible or arduous) in place of legitimate prayer and hope (raja') Taqwim al-Lisanayn.
• Faulty translations and unwarranted coinages by modern translators for concepts classical Arabic already possessed, while noting that coining terms for novel scientific instruments and modern discoveries belongs to collective academies rather than individual discretion Taqwim al-Lisanayn.

Reception and Publication

Al-Hilali noted that his articles received substantial interest and correspondence from readers, scholars, and students in the Maghrib, the Islamic East, Europe, and among pilgrims he met in Mecca and Medina Taqwim al-Lisanayn+1. The articles were praised by the editor-in-chief of the Moroccan journal Da'wat al-Haqq Taqwim al-Lisanayn.

The work also drew objections from critics who viewed such strict linguistic scrutiny as pedantic or as an unnecessary restriction on literary freedom Taqwim al-Lisanayn. Al-Hilali included direct rejoinders to these critics within the book, defending his standard of adherence to classical norms under the heading Taqwim al-Lisanayn Mustaqim Taqwim al-Lisanayn+1.

The book was published in Rabat by Maktabat al-Ma'arif in 1398 AH / 1978 CE Taqwim al-Lisanayn.