Metathesis in al-Azhari's Tahdhib al-Lughah Dictionary (From the Section of Jīm and Tāʾ to the Section of Jīm and Tsāʾ: A Model) التقليب في معجم تهذيب اللغة للأزهري )باب الجيم والتاء إلى باب الجيم والثاء نموذجا (
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
Abstract
The Arabic language possesses distinctive linguistic features, notably derivation (ishtiqāq) and morphological inflection (taṣrīf), which contribute to its lexical depth. A single Arabic word can encompass multiple meanings, depending on its form and context. As Arabic spread across various regions and encountered other languages, concerns over its preservation emerged. These concerns encouraged the development of classical lexicons aimed at maintaining the integrity of the language. One of the most important of these is Tahdhīb al-Lughah by al-Azhari, which is notable for its use of taqlīb, a method that rearranges root letters to derive new meanings. In modern times, the use of such classical dictionaries has declined due to the rise of digital language tools. This study examines Tahdhīb al-Lughah to highlight its linguistic relevance and the potential pedagogical value of taqlīb. Focusing on spatially permuted roots (taqlīb makānī) from jīm–tā’ to jīm–ṯsā’, this research uses a qualitative approach. The results show that such permutations can aid non-native Arabic learners in expanding their vocabulary. The entries include three roots in jīm–tā’, three in jīm–ḏāl, and four in jīm–ṯsā’, offering valuable material for vocabulary development in Arabic as a foreign language.
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##
Section

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
References
‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Abī Bakr, Jalāl al-Dīn al-Suyūṭī. 1998. Al-Muzhir Fī ‘Ulūm Al-Lughah Wa Anwā‘Ihā. Beirut: Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah.
Al-Azharī. 1964. Tahdhīb Al-Lughah Li Al-Azharī Wa Fahāris ‘Abd Al-Salām Hārūn. al-Dār al-Miṣriyyah li al-Ta’līf wa al-Tarjamah.
Al-Ḥamd, Muḥammad bin Ibrāhīm. 2016. “Al-Qalb Al-Makānī.” Almerja.Com. 2016.
Al-Qarnī, Ibrāhīm bin ‘Abd Allāh. 2023. “Ḍawābiṭ Tawjīh Al-Qirā’āt Al-Shādhdhah Wa Mawāriduh ‘inda Al-Azharī – Raḥimahu Allāh – Fī Kitābihi: Tahdhīb Al-Lughah.” African Journal of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences 2 (3): 703–719.
Al-Tariqi, Amnah Bint Ahmad. 2023. “Al-Istishhad Bi-Aqwal ’Umar Bin Al-Khattab Fi Tahdhib Al-Lughah Li-l-Azhar” 42 (2): 1382–1436. https://doi.org/https://doi.org:10.21608/jfla.2023.238494.1195.
Almimbar, Alvi Huda, Irawan Dwi Kurnianto, and Uril Bahruddin. 2024. “Al-Muʿjam al-ʿArabī Bayna Yadayk wa Manhaj Taʾlīfih.” Ukazh: Journal of Arabic Studies 5 (1): 46–55. https://doi.org/10.37274/ukazh.v5i1.892.
Azkia Muharom Albantani, Afwa Uzna Fauziah, Iis Sumiantia. 2020. “Perkembangan Kosakata Bahasa Arab Melalui Isytiqāq Dalam Perbendaharaan Kosakatanya.” ALSUNIYAT: Jurnal Penelitian Bahasa, Sastra, Dan Budaya Arab 3 (2): 125–38.
Bouhouch, Ammar. 1985. “Dalil Al-Ba’ith Fi Al-Manhajiyyah Wa Kitabah Al-Risalah Al-Jami’iyyah.” Al-Mu’assasah Al-Wataniyyah Lil-Ittisal Wa Al-Nashr.
Dawidari, Raja’ Wahid. 2000. Al-Bahth Al-’Ilmi Asasiyatuhu Al-Nazariyyah Wa Mumarsatuhu Al-’Amaliyyah. Dar Al-Fikr Al-Mu’asir. Beirut.
Lunas, Ilyas. 2022. “Bawaadir Al-Sina’ah Al-Mu’jamiyyah Bayna Al-Azhar Fi Tahdhib Al-Lughah Wa Ibn Manzur Fi Lisan Al-’Arab.” El-Muntaqa, 66–49.
M. Rusydi Khalid. 2019. “"Al-lughah al-‘Arabiyyah kaunuhā lughata ad-dīn al-Islāmī wa al-lughah al-‘ālamiyyah.” Diwan :Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra Arab 5 (2).
Manal Taha Mahmud ’Abdullah. 2023. “Al-Alfazh Al-Dallah ’ala Ma Yat’allaq Bil-Insan Wa Tastawi Tadzkira Wa Ta’nithan Fi Mu’jamay Tahdhib Al-Lughah Wa Al-’Arabiyyah Al-Mu’asirah.” Markaz Buhuth Al-Sharq Al-Awsat 11 (89): 3–50.
Manzhur, Ibn. 1990. Lisān Al-‘Arab. Beirut: Dār Ṣādir.
Rizkiani, Putri Wahyu. 2018. “Al-Qalb Al-Makani Fi Mu’jam Tahdhib Al-Lughah Wa ’Alaqat Ma’anihi Wa Al-Istifada Minhu Fi Ta’lim Al-Lughah Al-’Arabiyyah Li-Ghayr Al-Natiqin Biha.” Rayah Al-Islam 2 (2): 4–9. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37274/rais.v2i02.68.
Setiadi, Agus yasin and alfi. 2015. “Tariikh Nash’at Al-Mu’ajam Al-’Arabiyyah.” Jurnal Lisanu Ad-Dhad 2 (2): 15–3.
Sīddah, Ibn. 2000. Al-Muḥkam Wa Al-Muḥīṭ Al-Aʿẓam. Beirut: Dār al-Kutub al-ʿIlmiyyah.
Sini, Sa’id Isma’il. 1994. “No Title.” Mu’assasah Al-Risalah.
Sugiono. 2017. Metodologi Penelitian Pendidikan Pendekatan Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, Dan R&D. bandung: Alfabeta.
Tammām, Al-Munayzil. 2021. “Al-Qalb Al-Makānī Bayna Al-Qudamā’ Wa Al-Muḥdathīn.”
Ummah, Masfi Sya’fiatul. 2019. “Manhajiyyah Al-Bahth Al-’Ilmi Wa Taqniyatuhu Fi Al-’Ulum Al-Ijtima’iyyah” 11. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.