The Arts of Rhetoric in the Book of Tahrir al-Tahbir by Ibn Abi al-Isba’ al-Misri (d. 654 AH)

Abstract

This research examines Ibn Abi al-Isba's book, "Tahrir al-Tahbir," one of the

 most important books published in the seventh century AH. This century has been considered a critical stumbling block by many Arabic critics, who have classified it as part of what they call the "late ages." Based on this erroneous view, one critic assumed that the approach followed by Ibn Abi al-Isba' was a formalist one. The research notes that the author possessed a broad cultural background; he had read many books and considered numerous opinions, to the point that he was able to pioneer a critical terminology and name disciplines that previous scholars had been unable to define. He was also able to support the efforts of scholars of miracles. In doing so, Ibn Abi al-Isba' was able to draw on a vast cultural wealth, gleaned from his extensive knowledge of grammar, morphology, and exegesis, which enabled him to "sift through" prevailing critical ideas and reach his own unique perspectives. His bias towards politics and his involvement in the strife, unrest and wars waged by the Ayyubid state and the Bahri Mamluk state may have been the reason for producing a good collection of books. If those wars had bitten him with their fangs, he would not have been able to do anything scientific. It is possible to be guided to the method followed by Abu al-Asba’, which is the applied rhetorical and rhetorical method, in which Ibn al-Athir shares this method with him.