Investigating Linguistic Principles and Analogies in Sentence Structure in Al-Mutanabbi's Poetry, Based on Al-Wahidi's Critical Methodology

Abstract

This research examines Al-Wahidi's critical methodology in explicating Al-Mutanabbi's poetry, focusing on linguistic principles and analogies in sentence construction. The research proceeds from Al-Mutanabbi's poetry's status as a unique phenomenon in Arabic literature, which has received numerous commentaries characterized by repetition and literal transcription. The research aims to investigate Al-Wahidi's approach in explicating Al-Mutanabbi's Divan, highlighting his narration, methodology, and systematic method that began with the study of language (Arabicized words and Bedouin dialects), followed by grammar (sentence structure, separation of sentence parts, and focusing on nouns and verbs in the work), then morphology, then narration, then meanings (partial meaning and its conformity with the poet's intent), and rhetoric (metaphor, simile, metonymy). The methodology concludes by drawing on Quranic evidence, Prophetic Hadith, Arab sayings, and poetry. The research shows that Al-Wahidi relied on earlier scholars like Sibawayh and Ibn Jinni, and that he dealt with language deeply to extract the essence of meaning. It also reveals Al-Wahidi's uniqueness in tracing linguistic and morphological narrations, his precision in linking partial meanings to the poet's general intent, while sometimes showing sympathy for Al-Mutanabbi's linguistic usages. The research also highlights Al-Wahidi's method of using classical evidence to support his commentary and clarify meanings.