Unknown Linguist in the 6th Century AH Ibn Al-Teen Al-Sifaqsi (611 AH) and his Views on Language and Grammar

Abstract

This paper discloses an unknown Tunisian linguist, that is Imam Abdulwahid bin Omer bin Thabit bin Al-Teen Al-Safagasi (611 AH). It attempts to trace his particular views on language and grammar. Those views were spread by Imam Al-teen in his interpretation of Saheeh Al-Bukhari entitled (Al-Jame’a Eloquent Informer of the Benefits of Musnad Al-Bukhari Al-Saheeh). It is a large interpretation; a big part of it is still a manuscript, in which Ibn Al-Teen interpreted Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Other interpretations, which came later, benefited from it, including the outstanding interpretation of Ibn Hajar Al-Asgalani (852 AH / 1449 AD). Accordingly, this paper follows in-between trend, between language and grammar sciences, on one hand, and Hadith science, on the other. It discloses the personality of this unknown linguist and collects his linguistic views through tracing his opinions, indications, comments about the linguistic issues used as evidence of his interpretation of Saheeh Al-Bukhari, showing Ibn Al-Teen position towards language and grammar issues. It also attempts to draw a picture of this linguist who had been folded by pages of forgetfulness.