Al-Farra'

Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Ziyad al-Daylami al-Farra' (c. 761 – c. 822 CE) was a prominent grammarian of the Kufan school of Arabic grammar. He was born near Kufa, Iraq, and became one of the most influential figures in the development of Arabic linguistics and literature.

Al-Farra' served as a tutor to the Abbasid Caliph al-Ma'mun's son, and his association with the caliphal court contributed to his prestige and influence. He is best known for his comprehensive work on Arabic grammar, the Kitab Ma'ani al-Qur'an (The Meanings of the Quran), which is considered a foundational text in the field. This work explores the linguistic nuances and interpretations of the Quranic text, emphasizing grammatical principles and offering diverse readings.

Al-Farra''s grammatical approach, representing the Kufan school, often contrasted with the rival Basran school of grammar. The Kufan school placed greater emphasis on analogy (qiyas) and permitted a wider range of linguistic variations, whereas the Basran school favored a more rigid and prescriptive approach based on textual evidence. Al-Farra's scholarship helped to solidify the Kufan grammatical tradition and ensure its enduring influence on Arabic linguistic thought. His work continues to be studied and consulted by scholars of Arabic language and Quranic studies.