The Influence of Arabic Dialects on the Grammatical Interpretation of Qur'anic Readings According to al-Farrāʾ in Kitāb Fīhi Lughāt al-Qurʾān: Verbs as a Case Study

Abstract

This study examines the influence of Arabic dialects on the grammatical interpretation of the Qur'anic readings (Qirāʾāt) in al-Farrāʾ's Kitāb Fīhi Lughāt al-Qurʾān. It explores the extent to which dialectal variation shaped al-Farrāʾ's grammatical analyses and his interpretation of variant Qur'anic readings, while identifying the linguistic forms that best preserve semantic consistency. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach, the study focuses on three grammatical issues: the transitivity of the verb saʾala ('to ask'), the jussive form of geminated verbs, and the grammatical status of ḥāshā as either a preposition or a verb. The findings demonstrate that al-Farrāʾ consistently relied on authentic Arabic dialects to justify grammatical interpretation, highlighting the close relationship between dialectal diversity and the development of early Arabic grammatical thought.