This study of the word...

This study of the word, instead, is treated under Ṣarf (Morphology) which, according to the later Grammarians, is an autonomous science independent of Naḥw. However, this does not rule out the occasional treatment of Ṣarf in this work due to the fact that some aspects of Naḥw are contingent on Ṣarf in that the latter furnishes the requisite background information for an adequate understanding of these aspects.

[^2] The word “compound” (Murakkab) refers to any utterance that is composed of two or more words whether it conveys a complete sense or not. The inclusion of Murakkab in the definition excludes the simple or single utterance (Lafz Mufrad) from the concept of Kalām. In other words, Kalām is not a simple or single utterance like: زيد (Zayd), قامَ (stood), etc.

[^3] The word “utterance” (Lafz) denotes any sound that consists of some of the letters of the Alphabet whether it is actually used in Arabic (Musta‘mal/Mauḍū‘) or not (Muhmal) and whether it is simple (Mufrad) or compound (Murakkab). The inclusion of Lafz in the definition excludes anything that is not uttered from the idea of Kalām like writing, sign-language, etc. Thus, every form of communication that does not involve speaking, or any non-verbal sign is excluded from the definition.

[^4] The expression “that conveys a complete and self-contained meaning” (Mufīd) excludes the compound utterance that does not convey a complete and self-contained meaning (Murakkab Ghayr Mufīd) e.g. هلْ زيدٌ (Is Zayd…?), إِنْ قامَ زيدٌ (If Zayd stands…), etc.

[^5] Bi al-Waḍ‘ has been variously interpreted to mean (a) according to Arabic usage as opposed to Turkish, English or Persian usage, for example, and (b) with the intention to communicate a message so as to exclude the “talking” of parrots and sleep-talkers for in none of the cases is there any intention to communicate a message. [^6] The Ism is generally defined as a word that denotes a meaning that is complete in and by itself without time forming a part of that meaning.

By “complete in and by itself” we mean that the meaning of the Ism can be completely understood independently and without reference to anything else. While Ism is equivalent to the Noun in English it is much wider in scope. The Ism in Arabic, apart from including words signifying concrete things such as people, animals, plants, inanimate objects, or abstract things such as actions, states, qualities, also includes English adjectives, adverbs, some prepositions, etc.