Objection on the Grounds of Anomaly (Shudhūdh) in Al-`Ukbarī's (d. 616 AH) Al-Tabyīn fī Madhāhib al-Naḥwiyyīn: al-Baṣriyyīn wa-al-Kūfiyyīn

Abstract

This paper investigates objections rooted in grammatical irregularity (shudhūdh) as deployed by Abū al-Baqā’ al-Ukbarī in his work *Al-Tabyīn*. It aims to elucidate the concept of anomaly and discuss the instances where al-Ukbarī adopted it as a critiquing mechanism to challenge grammatical opinions and weigh them against one another, while examining his methodology in utilizing it and its impact on directing grammatical issues. The value of this inquiry stems from illuminating the evaluative dimensions of al-Ukbarī's framework in addressing divergent texts, as well as clarifying his stance on the relationship between textual evidence (*samā*), analogical reasoning (qiyās), and linguistic argumentation. Methodologically, a descriptive-analytical framework is deployed alongside comparative analysis where necessary, by surveying, analyzing, and comparing instances of objections based on anomaly within the text to the views of Al-Anbārī. The findings reveal that al-Ukbarī did not restrict his objections exclusively to the term *shudhūdh* (anomaly); rather, he expressed this concept through a varied terminology, including: *shādhdh* (anomalous), *shudhūdh* (anomalousness), *shādhdhah* (anomalous form/exception), *lā yuarraj alayh* (it is not to be paid attention to), *lā yuawwal alayh* (it is not to be relied upon), *lā yathbut bi-mithlihi aṣl* (a principle cannot be established by the likes of it), *lā tujal aṣlan* (it cannot serve as a foundational rule), lā yuqās alayh* (analogy cannot be applied to it), and *lā yuḥtajj bih* (it cannot be cited as evidence). Additionally, he attributed certain variants to poetic necessity (*ḍarūrat al-shir). This diversity demonstrates the nuance of his critical apparatus and the varying implications of his terminology depending on the context—ranging from declaring an anomaly or rejecting citation, to prohibiting analogy, questioning narrative authenticity, or attributing a usage to poetic necessity. Furthermore, the study illustrates the breadth of his objections across various grammatical issues, spanning both nouns and verbs. Ultimately, the study reveals a clear critical orientation in al-`Ukbarī’s framework based on balancing textual evidence with analogical reasoning, as well as scrutinizing grammatical opinions and variant readings before accepting or citing them as evidence. This underscores a significant dimension of his grammatical methodology and his contribution to the critique and evaluation of classical Arabic grammatical heritage.