The Justification of Imālah in Al-Lumaʿ and Some of Its Commentaries: Causes and Constraints

Abstract

Among the phonetic topics to which Ibn Jinnī devoted particular attention in his book Al-Lumaʿ fī al-ʿArabiyyah is imālah. Imālah represents a distinctive phonetic phenomenon in the language, as it combines the vocalic length of alif with that of yāʾ, producing a different sound known as imālah. This study examines the phenomenon based on Ibn Jinnī’s views, along with selected commentaries that shed light on his work, while also grounding these views through reference to earlier scholars and drawing on the opinions of later ones. The research identifies the causes and constraints of imālah and the resulting perspectives, noting areas of agreement and disagreement. It also determines the contexts in which imālah occurs. Overall, agreement between the commentators and Ibn Jinnī predominates, alongside some differences and additions.