The theoretical basis of Arabic grammar: The theory of ʿilla

Language, the most developed means of communication, is a human ability, the mystery of which has not been fully resolved until today. The fact that Arabic is the language of the Qur'an has been the most important factor that triggered the early start of studies on the grammar of the Arabic language. Grammar studies, which started with a more descriptive approach, became normative and causal in time. Because the search for wisdom in the language as a result of attributing holiness to language has led Arab linguists to go beyond grammar. In this respect, it can be said that the science of Arabic grammar is not just a language grammar, but an activity aimed at understanding the mystery in the language.For this reason, Arab linguists explained the grammatical principles they identified under the principle of causation by understanding "every linguistic phenomenon must have a cause". The theoretical framework of the ʿilla theory was determined by Khalīl b. Aḥmad (d. 175/791) in the 2nd century AH. According to this theory, language is a masterpiece painting by a master painter; The linguist is an expert who examines this painting with admiration and tries to interpret each brush stroke. The ʿillas of grammar revealed by Khalīl and his contemporary linguists were developed and recorded by his student Sībawayh (d. 180/796) from the 2nd century A.H. Since 3rd century A.H., detached works began to be written about this issue. Since the fourth century A.H., the issue of ʿillas has been dealt with theoretically with a methodology approach, and some general principles related to the ʿillas were identified, and the ʿillas were classified from different angles. In this study, the theory of causation, which is the theoretical basis of Arap language grammar, is discussed. In this context, after the theoretical and conceptual framework of the subject is revealed in the first two parts of the study, the historical process and literature are included. In the third chapter, common types of illa's are examined both theoretically and practically. The classification of Celīs al-Dīnavarī (d. 490/1097) was taken as the basis for the determination of the types of ʿillas. In the theoretical analysis of ʿillas, the literature of usūl al-naḥw was taken as a basis. Sbīawayh's book el-Kitâb was taken as the basis for the practical analysis of ʿillas. It has been understood that with the illas determined within the framework of the theory of ʿilla, the basic principles in the language are determined and grounded. In this respect, it is seen that the theory of illa constitutes the theoretical basis of the Arabic language grammar. On the other hand, these ʿillas are based on both the wording and the meaning of the language; It is understood that they did not sacrifice one for the other. In this context, it has been revealed that establishing healthy communication between the speaker and the interlocutor with minimal language effort is the main goal. It is obvious that these illas, which reveal that the phenomena in the language are not accidental, also draw attention to the wisdom dimension of the language.