Al-Zamakhsharī’s life and a critical edition of his Dīwān

Abstract

This thesis consists of five chapters and a critical edition of a previously unpublished collection of poems by the celebrated Muslim scholar al-Zamakhsharī’s, entitled "Dīwān al-Zamakhsharī"; thus adding yet another of his many works to the comparatively short list of those already published. In this way it is hoped to reveal not only tithe student of al-Zamakhsharī but also Arabic Literature in general, another facet of his skill which had hitherto escaped attention. In editing the text all known manuscript copies of the Dīwān together with the biographies in which some portions of al-Zamakhsharī’s poetry were quoted, have been completely collated. Variant readings are given in the apparatus. A table of metres and rhymes together with an index of proper names, place-names and tribes have been provided. Chapter One studies the life of al-Zamakhsharī in detail. Because of the scarcity of concrete facts given in biographical works, most of the information has been derived from his own works, namely his Dīwān and Atwāq al-dhahab. Chapter Two deals with his personality and thoughts, paying particular attention to his Mu‘tazilism and anti Shu‘ūbism, his attitude towards some of the scholars and Şūfīs and his madhhab. Chapter Three attempts to give a complete enumeration of his works, grouping them under three headings; works published, works still in manuscript form and works attributed to him but have not come down to us.