Investigation and Study of a Part of Al-Shumni's Hashiyah "Al-Monsef" on Mughni Al-Labib by Ibn Hisham: The Division of the Sentence

Abstract

This research addresses the issue of sentence division in Al-Shumni’s commentary, titled "Al-Monsef," on Mughni Al-Labib by Ibn Hisham Al-Ansari. It aims to highlight Al-Shumni’s methodology in handling this issue, reveal his views regarding sentence classification, and analyze the discussions and preferences he presented in light of the fundamentals of grammatical principles. The study is divided into two main sections: the first introduces Ibn Hisham Al-Ansari and Al-Shumni, highlighting their stature in grammatical studies. The second examines sentence division in two sub-sections: the first explores the division of sentences into nominal, verbal, and adverbial, along with associated grammatical rules and disagreements; the second addresses their division into major and minor sentences, demonstrating the foundations of this classification and its impact on directing grammatical structures, relying on textual evidence from the Quran, poetry, and linguistic sources presented by Al-Shumni. The research concludes that Al-Shumni followed a rigorous scientific methodology based on analysis, discussion, and comparison between grammarians' views. He did not merely explain Ibn Hisham’s text, but rather discussed it, addressed its issues, and favored interpretations supported by evidence and textual attestations, which grants his commentary significant academic value and makes it an important reference in studying sentence issues within Arabic grammar.