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MAHMUD AZ-ZAMAKHSHARI'S "AL-JIBAL VAL-AMKINA VAL-
MIYAH" Its Role in Language, Toponymy, and Cultural Heritage
Muhammedbabayeva Shahnoza Askarovna
Yangi Asr University, Department of Oriental Philology,
Arabic Language Teacher
E-mail: asqarovnashahinaz@gmail.com
Telefon: +998(99)8342915
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17007933
Abstract:
This article is dedicated to the work "
Al-Jibal val-Amkina val-
Miyāh
" by the great scholar, prominent linguist, and exegete,
Mahmud ibn
Umar az-Zamakshari
. It discusses the history of the work's creation, its earliest
manuscript copies, and the contributions of the Dutch orientalist who prepared
its Latin-Arabic academic edition. The article extensively explores the work's
significance in the fields of linguistics, culture, toponymy, and lexicography,
highlighting its importance as an invaluable source in the history of Arabic
philology.
Keywords:
Mahmud az-Zamakshari, Al-Jibal val-Amkina val-Miyāh,
manuscript, Latin-Arabic edition, orientalism, linguistics, toponymy,
lexicography, cultural heritage.
The great scholar, holder of the titles "
Ustazul-arab val-ajam
" (Master of
Arabs and foreigners), "
Fakhri Khorezm
" (Pride of Khorezm), and "
Jorulloh
,"
Mahmud az-Zamakshari
is considered a major literary critic, linguist,
pedagogue, and poet of his time. He authored over 50 works on logic, grammar,
religion, lexicography, literature, literary criticism, pedagogy, history, and
geography. Imam az-Zamakshari is one of the greatest scholars to have emerged
from Central Asia. He spread his knowledge through his books and students, and
many of his works have survived to our time [3].
While many of Zamakhshari's works are dedicated to Arabic language and
grammar, he was not limited to just literature. He also left behind a literary work
that combines geography and language: his book "
Kitabul- Al- Amkina val-
Miyah
" (
هايملاو ةنكملأاو لابجلا باتك
), or "
Mountains, Places, and Waters
." This book
provides valuable information about geographical locations in the Arab world.
The exact date it was written is unknown, but some sources suggest it was
composed in the latter years of his life, in the first half of the 12th century. This
information is based on scholarly research and notes in manuscripts, as
Zamakhshari himself did not specify a date in the work. "Al-Jibal val-Amkinah
val-Miyah" is considered one of the most important geographical books.
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The main content of the book is its utility in understanding the mountains,
places, plains, valleys, and waters of the Arabian Peninsula. The book covers
topics related to mountains, valleys, and water, and it serves as a critical
reference for researchers in geography, language, and culture. His book, "
Al-
Jibal val-Amkina val-Miyah
," is famous and contains nearly three thousand
place names. Most of the sources that mention these places have now been lost
[2]. In addition to place descriptions, Zamakhshari also included many poems
that mentioned and identified these locations.
The author structured his book alphabetically. He starts with places
beginning with the letter "Alif" and then moves on to places starting with "Ba,"
arranging the names of locations in and around the city of Mecca first. Indeed,
this book is one of the most important available to us, as it contains essential
knowledge for anyone who wants to learn about these places. It is also an
indispensable resource for understanding the nature of these lands because it
contains information about the country's geography, its places, waters, and
mountains. The lexical analysis of geographical terms is highly relevant today for
several reasons. This research contributes significantly not only to linguistics
but also to the fields of history, geography, and cultural studies.
"
Al-Jibal val-Amkina val-Miyah
" has been studied by many Arab and non-
Arab researchers. The famous book by Zamakhshari was first published in 1855
by the Dutch orientalist
Salverda de Grave
. It was later published in 1968 in
Najaf, based on another manuscript with additions to the first edition. In the
same year (1968), it was studied by Dr. Ibrahim al-Samarrai in Baghdad and
published with new additions not included in the previous two editions. It's
important to note that this book is not the same as the one by Nasr al-Iskandariy
(d. 561 AH), which was published by Fuad Sezgin in 1990 and titled "Al-Amkina
val-Miyah val-Jibal." Al-Iskandariy's book contains 2,938 translations, of which
2,317 are topics related to his book "
Al-Mu'talif val-Muxtalif
" (The Consonant
and the Dissonant) [4]. The importance of Zamakhshari's work is defined by
several aspects. This work holds a unique place in his scientific legacy, as he is
typically known for his works in religious, literary, and linguistic fields.
This work was written in Mecca during his time there, based on information
from
Amir Abul Hasan Ali ibn Hamza ibn Vahhas as-Sulaymoniy
as well as
his own personal observations. The book provides valuable information about
geographical locations, mountains, rivers, and wells in the Hijaz (modern-day
Saudi Arabia). The work also garnered great interest among Western scholars.
Notably, in 1855, the Dutch orientalist
Salverda de Grave
thoroughly
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researched and published it. This indicates the significant role the work played
in the science of that era. "Al-Jibal val-Amkinah val-Miyah" demonstrates
Zamakhshari's knowledge of geography and natural sciences, his keen
observational skills, and his expertise in organizing information.
In this work, Zamakhshari reveals the connection between language and
culture through the following means:
Language as a Tool for Expressing Geography
1.Toponymic Analysis (Explanation of Place Names):
He analyzes place
names etymologically, explaining the origin, meaning, and cultural connotations
of each toponym. For example, he sheds light on the religious and historical
significance of place names like "Mecca," "Medina," and "Ta'if," based on their
Arabic roots.
فئاطلا
–
هب هونصح ةيلهاجلا يف هلوح ينب يذلا طئاحلل هب ىمسي فيقث دلب
[1; 216]
"Al-Ta'if, this is the city of the Thaqif tribe, so named because of the wall
built around it during the Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic) period to protect it."
2.Linguistic Richness and Dialects:
Through place names, the work shows
various Arabic dialects and their differences. This reveals the linguistic diversity
and cultural regionalism in the Arab world.
The book demonstrates how language can be used to precisely describe
geographical locations. In identifying locations, Zamakhshari relies on specific
words and geographical terms, which reflects his deep knowledge of the Arabic
language and its ability to convey precise details. Through the use of
geographical names, he expressed in his work that language is not only a means
of communication but also a tool for understanding and perceiving the world
around us.
Influence on Language and Culture
The book also touches on the
relationship between language and culture, as the names and terms used reflect
the cultural values and traditions of Arab societies. By studying geographical
names, researchers can understand how culture influences language and how
language, in turn, reflects culture. For example, names given to mountains or
valleys might have historical or cultural meanings that reflect events or legends
associated with those places.
The work "Al-Jibal val-Amkinah val-Miyah" primarily contains information
on geographical terms, place names, rivers, and wells. This served to enrich the
geographical vocabulary of the Arabic language. The place names and their
descriptions in the work also provide information about the cultural and social
life of the region. Zamakhshari, having a high command of the Arabic language,
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used rare and precise words to describe the various place names in this work.
This, in turn, helps in a deeper understanding of the meanings of words and
phrases in the Arabic language. The work's influence on culture is not direct but
indirect. It provides detailed information about the lands, mountains, and water
sources in the Hijaz (modern-day Saudi Arabia). This information helps in
forming an idea about the lifestyle, reasons for settlement, and economic
activities of the people who lived in that area. The work also shows how widely
developed science was at that time and how high the interest in geography and
other natural sciences was. This makes it an important source reflecting the
scientific and cultural values of that era.
The Book's Importance in Linguistics
"Mountains, Places, and Waters" is
a rich resource for linguistic studies and can be used as a reference to
understand the development of the Arabic language and its use in geographical
contexts. The book also shows how language serves as a tool for documenting
geographical knowledge, enhancing the importance of language in scientific
research. In addition to describing places, Zamakhshari wrote numerous poems
that mention and identify these locations [2]. In many parts of the work, he cites
sources for the place names he provides by quoting from odes.
Zamakshari used poetry from ancient poets, including those of the
Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic), Mukhadramun (poets who lived in both the Jahiliyyah
and Islamic periods), and Islamic eras. He did not limit himself to these, also
using verses from Abbasid poets like Abu Nuwas and Ibn Hani. Notably, he used
Ibn Muqbil's poetry in over fifty places in his book [1;10]
An Invaluable Source for the Development of Historical Geography
and Toponymy
This work is a valuable source for medieval geography, as it
contains a great deal of information about places, mountains, rivers, and bodies
of water in the Muslim world and its surroundings. Zamakhshari traveled
extensively and compiled his observations in this work. This information shows
the level of geographical knowledge of that era and served as a foundation for
subsequent generations of scholars.
The geographical names (toponyms) in Zamakhshari's work are of
incomparable importance for studying the historical geography of the medieval
Islamic world, especially Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Through a lexical analysis of these names, it is possible to pinpoint the exact
locations of ancient sites, observe how they have changed over time, and gain a
deeper understanding of the region's historical development. This, in turn,
uncovers new scientific data for modern historical geography and toponymy. By
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uncovering the etymological roots of names, we also get valuable information
about ancient migration routes, trade paths, and the locations of settlements.
A Fundamental Basis for Linguistics and Lexicography
Zamakshari is
considered a great master and innovator of the Arabic language. The
etymological, semantic, and morphological analysis of the terms in this work
allows for a deep study of the lexical richness of medieval Arabic, as well as its
phonetic and grammatical features. The lexical information in the work is also
important for observing the historical development of the Arabic language,
identifying dialectal differences, and preserving ancient vocabulary. These
studies reveal new theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of linguistics
and make a great contribution to the development of lexicography. In particular,
analyzing place names borrowed into Arabic from other languages, such as
Persian, Turkic, or Syriac, helps to understand linguistic interactions.
Analyzing Vocabulary:
The names of places, mountains, rivers, and other
geographical objects in the work allow for an analysis of the Arabic language's
vocabulary. Zamakhshari explained the meanings, origins, and usage context of
these names. This is crucial for studying the etymology and semantics of words.
Observing the Historical Development of Words:
The information in the
work shows how words and place names were used in the Middle Ages. This
allows linguists to observe the historical development of words and place names
and how their meanings have changed.
The Method of Dictionary Compilation:
This work by Zamakhshari, along
with his other lexicographical works like "Asas al-Balagha" and "Muqaddimat al-
Adab," shows the high level of medieval lexicography. This work is also a
practical example of lexicography as an attempt to systematize place names and
geographical terms.
Connecting Various Fields:
The work connects lexicography with
geography, history, and other sciences. It shows how a single word or name can
be significant across different fields, which laid the foundation for
interdisciplinary studies.
An Important Bridge for the Analysis of Cultural and Civilizational
Connections
Geographical names often serve as silent witnesses to cultural
exchanges, migrations, trade relations, and historical events between regions. By
analyzing the terms in the work, one can understand the cultural interactions
between different peoples and civilizations and how language and culture are
intertwined. For instance, if a name has similar or different meanings in the
languages of various peoples, it provides information about their historical
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relations and socio-economic connections. This, in turn, serves to foster
intercultural dialogue and understanding.
Preserving Ancient Terms and Understanding Their Meaning
Many
ancient geographical names and terms may have been lost or forgotten today. By
analyzing Zamakhshari's work, we have an opportunity to preserve these
ancient terms, restore their original meanings, and bring them back into
scholarly use. This is also crucial for the correct interpretation of other historical
and literary texts from the Middle Ages, as Zamakhshari's work also reflects the
scientific terminology of that era. These studies help in restoring the linguistic
"map" of the past.
Promoting Uzbekistan's Rich Scientific Heritage
Mahmud az-
Zamakshari is one of the great scholars to have emerged from Khorezm, and his
works are an integral part of Uzbekistan's rich scientific and spiritual heritage.
By thoroughly studying this work and demonstrating its scientific relevance, we
can once again showcase our country's significant contribution to world
civilization. This also encourages the younger generation to study and be
inspired by the legacy of their great ancestors. Therefore, it is the duty of us, as
researchers, to study this important work, just like Zamakhshari's other works,
and to pass on his multifaceted creative legacy to future generations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mahmud az-Zamakshari's work "
Al-Jibal val-Amkina
val-Miyāh
" holds great value not only for Arabic linguistics and toponymy but
also for world cultural heritage. The publication and study of this work provide a
deeper understanding of the historical development of Arabic philology and the
opportunity for a scientific study of toponymic heritage. Therefore, this work
remains a relevant source for research in linguistics, history, and cultural studies
even today. Az-Zamakshari's "
Mountains, Places, and Waters
" is a crucial work
that embodies both geography and language. The book demonstrates how
language can reflect culture and help us understand the world around us.
Studying this book enhances our understanding of the relationship between
language and geography, opening new horizons for research and study in this
field.
References and Websites:
1.Al- Jibal val- Amkina val- Miyah. Mahmud az- Zamakhshari. Ahmad 'Abd al-
Tawwab 'Awad. Dar al-Fadilah - 1999.
2.https://www.albayan.ae/paths/books/2008-11-01-1.68811
3.https://arboblar.uz/uz
4.https://ar.m.wikipedia.org/wiki
5.Journal “Arab” (S1 P. 309, S4 P. 376, S6 P. 673)
