Qatr al-Nada wa Ball al-Sada

Title: Qatr al-Nada wa Ball al-Sada
Author: Ibn Hisham Al- Ansari
ISBN: 9781915265524
Publisher: Turath Publishing (UK)

This translation of Ibn Hishām’s Qaṭr al-Nadā is a milestone of Arabic scholarship in English. The short, didactic work is not merely a text of Arabic grammar by a major imam of the late Arabic school, it is also an insight into how to think like a grammarian. The book’s title literally means 'Drops of Dew and Wetting a Parched Throat'. Intended as a simple book for beginners, modern students of Arabic will find it to be intermediate-level at the least.

The books title literally means 'Drops of Dew and Wetting a Parched Throat'. Intended as a simple book for beginners, modern students of Arabic will find it to be intermediate-level at the least.


This translation of Ibn Hisham's Qatr al-Nada is a milestone of Arabic scholarship in English. This short didactic work is not merely a text of Arabic Grammar by a major imam of the late Arabic school, it is also an insight on how to think like a grammarian. 
 

Ibn Hisham authored a number of books on Arabic grammar, the greatest and most advanced being al-Mughni. The text at hand is his simplest work, and hence the title. The author’s intent is to offer knowledge-thirsty students just enough moisture to wet their parched throats. Having said this, the text is, at minimum, intermediate level for most contemporary students of Arabic.

About the Author:  

He is al-Imam, as-Shaykh Abu Muhammad 'Abd Allah Jamal al-Din bin Ahmad bin 'Abd Allah bin Hisham al-Ansari Rahmatullahi ta'ala 'alayhi. He was born in Egypt in the month of Dhul Qihdah 708 Hijri.[1309CE].  He was considered a master in the science of Arabic Grammar. 
 

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani mentions him in his book al-Durar al-Kamina that he took knowledge from all the great scholars of his time such as Taj al-Tabrizi, Taj al-Fakahani, Shuhab ibn al-Marhal, and Ibn Jama'ah. His students didn't become well known but however, it was testified that a lot of scholars from Egypt took from him. It is known that he wrote over 28 titles or works in regards to Nahw, Sarf, and Lughah, all being in the science of Arabic Grammar.