SOAS Research Online

Abstract

In this work I have attempted to reproduce the text of Ma'ani al-Qur'an in the form dictated by the author, or as near as it is possible to be at this remove. I compared the various copies extant and have isolated the copy 'B' as being the most close to the original. But even this copy is not infallible and where there was a doubt as to its correctness I have utilised the more convincing expression from another copy. In all cases, however, I have referred to the other copies in the footnotes. As to the poetry used by al-Zajjaj to illustrate his explanations, I have traced the authorship of every verse possible. Some verses could not be traced, though very few, but their anonimity does not affect the main thesis; and it may be mentioned that the book of Sibawayh contains one hundered verses the authors of which are not known. I have provided brief biographies of the poets, grammarians and other persons mentioned. Some grammatical questions have been analysed in depth, others mentioned only briefly and yet others according to the methods of al-Zajjaj. In the latter case I have completed the explanation and corrected it according to the concensus of the majority of grammarians. In the short introduction I have offered a short biography of al-Zajjaj, his life, education, his age and his books. His largest work Ma'ani al-Qur'an being the subject of this present work, I have tried to throw a ray of light on it, explaining its value, its effect and its style and also displaying the criticism against it. The part of the book which is have completed is enough, I think, to give a clear idea of the man and his unique position amongst the commentators on the Qur'an.