Sarf Baha’i: A Primer in Arabic Morphology

Sarf Baha’i: A Primer in Arabic Morphology

“Sarf is the mother of sciences and Nahw is the father” 

​The underlying reasoning behind this statement is that the Arabic language is the foundation of understanding the Qur’an and its explanation from the one who it was revealed to—may Allah send prayers and salutations upon him.

The Qur’an contains knowledge of all the universal principles relating to life, humanity, worldly affairs, the hereafter and numerous other things. And the key to understanding the Qur’an is by knowing Sarf and Nahw (Arabic grammar).

Sarf, known as morphology, is the means by which a person makes a distinction between verbs, nouns and verbal nouns, as well as root words. It also helps in recognising different tenses within a verb, and being able to draw the distinction between different types of nouns. Without Sarf, a person would be unable to discern between different types of words.

For anyone wanting to understand the Qur’an, it is essential to know Sarf. Amongst students of Islamic sciences in English speaking countries, an easy text which facilitates the memorising of Sarf was the need of the time; therefore, we translated Sarf Baha’i.

This book should be memorised alongside Nahw Mir, after which the student should then practice reading Arabic text and understanding the contents of it. No longer than three months should be spent in memorising this text under the supervision of a teacher.