ṢARF
Matn al-Bināʾ wa al-Asās fī ʿIlm al-Taṣrīf
Matn al-Bināʾ wa al-Asās fī ʿIlm al-Taṣrīf is a foundational text in the science of taṣrīf—Arabic morphology, which focuses on the structure and patterns of Arabic words. Authored by Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Makūdī (or sometimes attributed to others in the Moroccan-Mālikī tradition), the text is designed to introduce students to the basic rules and patterns governing how Arabic words are derived, conjugated, and transformed.
Unlike nahw (syntax), which deals with sentence structure and grammatical relationships, taṣrīf is concerned with the internal structure of words—especially verbs and nouns—through patterns (awzān), roots (ʿawāmil), and forms (ṣīgh). Al-Bināʾ wa al-Asās presents these concepts in a systematic and simplified format, making it a popular entry-level manual in traditional Islamic and Arabic grammar curricula.
The text covers key topics such as:– The triliteral and quadriliteral roots
– Verb conjugations in different tenses
– The active and passive voices
– Verb forms (I through X and beyond)
– Derivative nouns and participles
– Sound vs. weak root letters
Its structured and accessible style has made it a staple for students beginning their journey into Arabic linguistics. Often memorized and studied with commentary, the Matn al-Bināʾ lays the groundwork for understanding how words function and change in form—an essential skill for mastering classical Arabic and interpreting texts like the Qur’an and Hadith.
In short, Matn al-Bināʾ wa al-Asās is a concise yet comprehensive primer in Arabic morphology, offering students a crucial tool for linguistic proficiency and deeper engagement with Islamic scholarship.
Consists of 11 classes.
The course was taught by Shaykh Zuhayr Qazzān in 2022.
