44. The sciences concerned with the Arabic language. The pillars
of the Arabic language are four: lexicography, grammar, syntax
and style (bayan), and literature. Knowledge of them all is
necessary for religious scholars, since the source of all
religious laws is the Qur'an and the Sunnah, which are in
Arabic. Their transmitters, the men around Muhammad and the men
of the second generation, were Arabs. Their difficulties are to
be explained from the language they used. Thus, those who want
to be religious scholars must know the sciences connected with
the Arabic language. These sciences differ in emphasis (as to
their importance) according to the different degrees (of
usefulness) they possess for conveying the intended meaning of
speech, as will become clear when they are discussed one by one.
The conclusion will be that the first and most important of them
is grammar, since it gives a clear. indication of the basic
principles (used in expressing) the various intended meanings.
Thus, one can distinguish betwe