Arabic Morphology: An Introduction

Classical Arabic is the liturgical language used by an estimated

1.8 billion Muslims. As the language of the Qur’an and Hadith,

Classical Arabic has served as the lingua franca of Islamic learning

throughout the centuries. It is through mastering this language that

one gains access to the primary Islamic texts and other treasures of

Islamic heritage and civilisation.

Arabic Morphology: An Introduction is a translation of Sarf-i

Muqaddamati, a Persian work that has been popular with both seminary

and university students for decades. The book is often studied as a

precursor to its unabridged version, Sarf-i Sadih, the translation of

which ICAS Press has published under the title Arabic Morphology Made

Simple. With its clear style, helpful exercises, and bilingual glossary of

technical terms, this textbook provides students with an excellent

start to their learning of Arabic.

Sayyid Muhammad Rida Tabataba’i (b. 1948) received his education

at the Muntaziriyyah (Haqqani) Islamic School in Qum. A prominent

student of Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Husayni Bihishti (d. 1981) and

Ayatollah ‘Ali Quddusi (d. 1981), he succeeded them as the principal

of Muntaziriyyah and later followed in their footsteps as the principal

of the Shahidayn Islamic School. He has also served as the principal of

Jami‘at al-Zahra’, an Islamic seminary and university for women in Qum.