A Comprehensive Note on Arabic Lexicography

Introduction:-
When Islam reached to the areas where Arabic was not understood or spoken before the emergence of Islam, there emerged problems and mistakes in the pronunciation of Arabic. As Arabic in the vast language and even slightest change in the pronunciation may alter the meaning to a great extent. Rather a slightest change may bring the opposite meaning then the intended ones. This problem necessitated the need to have the lexicography of Arabic Language.
Initial Work:-
Initially small ‘rasails’ containing the correct Arabic name of common thing were written by ulema e.g. some ‘rasails’ containing the name of days of week, body parts, other common thing of day to day use. But the situation turned from bad to worse.

Khalil Bin Ahmad:-
During this crucial time, a prolific figure, named Khalil bin Ahmad emerged on the scene. He wrote the first and most comprehensive book of lexicography in which the words consisted of one, two or more words mere arranged in order. He also arranged the words according to their pronunciation e.g.
1- Larynx
2- Tongue
3- Teeth
4- Lips
This book was the first complete effort in this regard. Abu Bakar bin Dureed prepared the compendium of this book which collected more fame then the original book. This book of Khalil bin Ahmad remained incomplete during the life time of Khalil and this was completed by one of the pupil of Khalil. The part compiled by his pupil shows certain mistakes.

Lisan-ul-Arab by Ibn-e-Manzoor:-
Ibn-e-Manzoor was born on 1233, and was descendant of Governor of Tripoli. Ibn-e-Manzoor was a moderate shia and his work in Arabic Lexicography is second to none. He wrote ‘Lisan ul Arab’, a dictionary which was published in 18th century and contains 20 volumes. This show how enormous was the work of Ibn-e-Manzoor. The comprehensiveness of this book is second to none in this regard.
The book Liasan ul Arab follows a specific pattern. It follows the arrangement of roots. The headwords are not arranged by the author contrary to what is done in modern Lexicography of Semitic Language.
The arrangement made by Ibn-e-Manzoor is according to the last radical which makes finding rhyming ending.
In short the contribution of Ibn-e-Manzoor is the most valuable service done to Arabic Lexicography.

Sources of Lisan ul Arab:-

1- Tahdib ul Lugah by Al Azhri
2- Mukam of Ibn-e-Sedah
3- Nihaya of Al Dhabi

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