Tashih al-Fasih wa Sharhuhu
- Author died
- 347 AH
- Editions
- al-Majlis al-A‘lá lil-Shu’ūn al-Islāmiyyah
Tashih al-Fasih wa Sharhuhu (The Correction and Commentary on al-Fasih) is a philological and grammatical commentary composed by the Persian grammarian Ibn Durustawayh (d. 347 AH / 958 CE) on Tha'lab's (d. 291 AH / 904 CE) celebrated lexical handbook Kitab al-Fasih .
Background and Purpose
Ibn Durustawayh authored the book in response to the widespread reliance on Kitab al-Fasih among chancery scribes and students in Baghdad, who memorized its lexical selections without understanding their underlying meanings, morphological measurements, or grammatical causes . He observed that many considered mere memorization of Tha'lab's text to be the pinnacle of literary competence, overlooking essential linguistic principles . In his introduction, Ibn Durustawayh also noted historical disputes concerning the attribution of al-Fasih, mentioning claims that it had been compiled by Ibn al-Sikkit as an abridgment of Islah al-Mantiq, or by Ibn al-A'rabi under the title Kitab al-Hula .
Methodology and Content
The work combines lexical exposition with systematic critique, reflecting Ibn Durustawayh's staunch adherence to the Basran grammatical school in opposition to Tha'lab's Kufan methodology . Ibn Durustawayh structured his analysis around:
- Explaining the morphological forms (abniyah), patterns of inflection (tasrif), and analogical rules (maqayis) of the vocabulary cited in al-Fasih .
- Clarifying rare vocabulary (gharib) and dialectal variations (ikhtilaf al-lughat) .
- Rectifying perceived errors, oversights, and ungrounded preferences made by Tha'lab, illustrating where selections conflicted with established analogical rules and standard Arab usage .
- Examining figures of speech, literal and metaphorical constructions, and grammatical causes (ilal) to assist in the comprehension of the Quran, prophetic hadith, and classical poetry .
Modern Editions
The first volume of Tashih al-Fasih wa Sharhuhu was edited by Abd Allah al-Juburi and published in Baghdad in 1975 CE (1395 AH) by Matba'at al-Irshad, based on a manuscript preserved in the Shaykh Arif Hikmat Library in Medina (MS 79/410) . A complete edition was prepared by Muhammad Badawi al-Makhtun and reviewed by Ramadan Abd al-Tawwab, utilizing both the Medina manuscript and a fragmentary copy from the Chester Beatty Library (MS 4145); it was published in Cairo by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in 1419 AH / 1998 CE .
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