An examination and analysis of Muhammed b. Hussein al-Berkal'î and his commentary on al-Qaqfiyah

This study examines the life of Imam al-Berkal'î, who lived in the first half of the 10th century, and his commentary on the annotation written by Hindî. Biographers have remained indifferent to the life of this precious scholar and he has not received the critical attention he deserved. For this reason, this thesis primarily attempts to shed light on the author's life and works. Secondly, his commentary on Hindî's annotation explaining the al-Qaqfiyah by Ibn al-Hajib is examined and analysed. The study is divided into two main sections. The first section is concerned with the analysis of the work. This part includes an introductory subpart. In the introduction, the scientific, political and intellectual structure of the period in which the author lived, and the condition of Arabic language teaching in the eastern and contiguous regions are explained in a general way. Famous scholars in the field of Arabic language, significant texts, commentaries and analyses in the field of syntax are also considered. Next, Ibn al-Hajib and his work entitled "al-Qaqfiyah", and al-Hindî and his commentary on al-Qaqfiyah are examined for being related to the annotation by al-Berkal'î. Then, the study explicates on al-Berkal'î's life and death, his works and personage, his position among the linguists of syntax, the title and the date of his commentary which constitutes the main subject of our study, his motives in writing it, and his ownership of the manuscript. In addition to the sources of the commentary and the terms it contains, the method followed by the author in sampling and justification is presented. Finally, the method applied in the examination of the annotation and the pictures of the manuscript shall be included. The second main section consists of the examination of the analysed text. In the conclusion part of the study, the findings obtained as a result of the research are presented.