The Features of Theological Tendencies in Grammar

Abstract

This study investigates how ʿilm al-kalām has shaped ʿilm al-naḥw, presenting the findings through four key perspectives, or landmarks. The first landmark explores biographical excerpts of prominent grammarians, revealing their engagement with—and, at times, the overshadowing influence of—ʿilm al-kalām. The second landmark examines observations made by earlier scholars who noted shifts in the language and methodology of grammarians, attributing these changes to the impact of theological issues. In the third landmark, the focus shifts to the formulation of definitions and terminologies, highlighting the deep connections between logic and ʿilm al-kalām. Drawing on the perspectives of Ibn Khaldun and al-Suyuti, the study provides examples of how grammarians integrated logical-theological principles into their definitions, allowing these principles to guide and shape grammatical terminologies. The final landmark addresses areas of overlap between ʿilm al-naḥw and ʿilm al-kalām, beginning with the concept of speech, then exploring the role of the subject as a creator or influencer, and concluding with the intricate relationship between names and the entities they signify.