EJJPS ISSN: 2751-1715
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11
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SCIENCE OF "BALĀǦAT" IN UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING
OF A SENTENCE
Rustamiy Salimakhon Aliybeg qizi
Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor, Oriental University, Department of Eastern Languages,
Uzbekistan, Tashkent
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3605-7340
AB O U T ART I CL E
Key words:
Eastern languages, science of balāǧat,
Arabic language, ma’ani science
.
Received:
12.12.2024
Accepted
: 17.12.2024
Published
: 22.12.2024
Abstract:
The
article
substantiates
the
significance of the science of balāǧat, a branch of
Arabic
philology
(literary
sciences),
in
comprehending the meanings of texts in Eastern
languages such as Arabic, Persian, and Turkic. This
discipline equips learners with essential
knowledge for understanding textual meanings
accurately, expressing ideas clearly, and
constructing impactful sentences that captivate
the listener both in meaning and auditory appeal.
INTRODUCTION
The priceless works left by our great ancestors constitute an inexhaustible cultural
wealth of our nation. Among these works are rare textbooks and teaching aids, which have been used
for centuries in educational institutions of our region. These materials not only gained wide distribution
in our territory but also in many Eastern countries, and some of them continue to be used today for
training specialists in specific fields. For example, key works in Arabic linguistics include Mahmud
Zamakhshari's Mufassal, Unmuzaj, and Kashshaf, as well as Ibn Malik's Alfiya.
When discussing rare works utilized in education, it is imperative to highlight the contributions of the
science of balāǧat. This branch of Arabic philolo
gy emerged during the medieval period and later
influenced other languages. Even today, it continues to provide knowledge about the subtleties of
speaking in Arabic. Among these works are Miftah al-Ulum (The Key to Sciences) by Abu Yaqub Yusuf
Sakkaki (555/1160
–
626/1229), Talkhis al-Miftah (Abridgment of Miftah) by Jalal al-Din Muhammad
ibn Abd al-Rahman Qazwini (d. 739/1339), and Sharh Talkhis al-Miftah (Commentary on Talkhis al-
Miftah) by Sa'd al-Din Mas'ud ibn Umar al-Taftazani (d. 792/1390).
The manuscripts Talkhis al-Miftah and Sharh Talkhis al-Miftah have numerous surviving copies, most
of which were transcribed in the 18th and 19th centuries. This indicates that, like other Eastern
VOLUME04 ISSUE12
https://doi.org/10.55640/eijps-04-12-03
Pages: 11-14
EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ISSN: 2751-1715
VOLUME04 ISSUE12
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countries, the science of balāǧat was extensively taught in
educational institutions of our region until
recent centuries. Subsequently, its section related to artistic expression began to be partially taught in
literary studies.
The science of balāǧat originated in Arabic linguistics in the 9th century and reac
hed its zenith in the
12th century. Historically, the intellectual maturity of educated individuals was determined by the
extent of their mastery of this science. Therefore, significant attention was given to its development and
study.
The term balagha (
balāǧat) linguistically means "maturity," and as a scientific term, it refers to the
speaker's ability to employ eloquent sentences appropriately to the situation. An eloquent sentence is
one composed of clear, easily understandable, smoothly delivered words that conform to grammatical
rules (Jarim, Mustafa, 1999:5).
Scholars of the science of balāǧat have divided it into three main components:
1. Ilm al-Bayan
–
The rules and methods of expressing ideas through various means for clarity and
explanation.
2. Ilm al-Ma'ani
–
The science of structuring expressions in a manner appropriate to context and
purpose.
3. Ilm al-Badi'
–
The science of verbal artistry.
It has become evident that the science of balāǧat is an essential discipline for studying the intricate
nuances of language and ensuring that the information conveyed through speech is beneficial to the
listener. This point can be substantiated by
examining each branch of the science of balāǧat (see
Hoshimiy, 2004). The following examples illustrate its significance through the lens of Ilm al-
Ma’ani
(science of meaning):
•
Mastering Ilm al-
Ma’ani teaches methods of expressing meaning. When an idea
is presented
through speech, these methods must be learned to ensure the intended meaning is effectively conveyed.
•
To express ideas in a clear, precise, and fluent manner, it is necessary to understand the
principles of Ilm al-
Ma’ani concerning declarati
ve and constructive sentences. If the meaning is
conveyed incorrectly, no matter how important or useful the message may be, the listener may reject
it, struggle to grasp it, or interpret it in a different way.
•
By mastering the rules of Ilm al-
Ma’ani, on
e learns techniques such as repetition (takrir),
expressing a wealth of meaning in few words (ijaz), or presenting minimal meaning in a lengthy manner
(itnab). For instance, proverbs, sayings, and aphorisms like "Measure seven times, cut once," "Time is
more valuable than gold," or "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave" demonstrate the ijaz
method, as they convey profound meanings in a concise form (Rustamiy, 2014).
•
When the techniques of Ilm al-
Ma’ani are combined with rhetorical and artistic meth
ods from
the badi' branch of balāǧat, such as saj‘ (rhymed prose), tajnis (paronomasia), and tarse‘ (parallelism),
or semantic arts like tawriya (double entendre), tibaq (antithesis), and muqabala (contrast), they create
harmonious expressions that not onl
y please the listener’s ear but also offer aesthetic enjoyment. Such
delivery is especially effective for conveying scientific and educational messages, ensuring they are
understood correctly and quickly retained in memory. This approach is a critical factor in embedding
knowledge and education into people's consciousness and promoting them. Consequently, many
scientific works, including Arabic grammar rules (Alfiya), mathematical formulas, and urjuzas (didactic
poems), were written in poetic form and memorized in educational institutions.
In our speech, we aim to influence the listener by employing various similes, metaphors, and allegories
(Mamajonov, Ibragimova, 2000; Rustamiy, 2020). The Ilm al-
Bayan (science of expression) in balāǧat
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plays a crucial role in teaching the proper use of these techniques. This branch studies the figurative
use of lexical units, such as simile (tashbih), metaphor (majaz), metonymy (isti'ara), and allusion
(kinaya). Mastery of these methods enhances the impact of speech.
It is well-known that words in a text can be used in their literal or figurative sense. For instance, the
word lion in "The lion lives in the forest" conveys its literal meaning (the animal), while in "Zayd is a
lion," it is used figuratively to mean a brave person. Understanding such methods and their applications
is crucial for accurately interpreting the meanings of words in a text without unnecessary difficulty.
The discussion above highlighted how the science of balāǧat can teach methods to make sentences
impactful. Regarding the clear, precise, and fluent presentation of ideas, mastering the principles of
declarative and constructive sentences in balāǧat is necessary. This includes learning the use of
declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, imperative, and negative sentence structures to achieve the
intended meaning. Furthermore, the reasons for the inclusion or omission of sentence components are
explained (Jarim, Mustafa, 1999; Mullasodiqova, 2003).
The examples and evidence presented in the science of ba
lāǧat must be well
-placed and based on
credible sources, as this is considered a crucial requirement. Doubtful or unreliable evidence diminishes
or completely nullifies the strength of the conveyed message, rendering the information ineffective and
failing to achieve its intended purpose. Scholars and intellectuals strictly adhered to this principle. They
primarily relied on the Qur'an and Hadith, followed by works recognized by many scholars and, in
literary contexts, the qasidas and ghazals of renowned poets.
For this reason, the concept of a "reliable source" has long existed in the East. For instance, evidence
drawn from the Qur'an or Hadith was universally accepted without objection and held in high regard.
It is also worth noting that scientific works have always maintained a high level of accuracy in providing
evidence. Thanks to this precision, even though many works and their authors have not survived to the
present day, information about them has been preserved through references in other scholarly works.
Adhering to such principles remains a necessary code of conduct for contemporary scholars.
Despite the theoretical foundations of the science of balāǧat being developed in Arabic, it spread widely
across non-Arab regions, with works produced in Persian (Husayniy, 1981) and Turkic (Taroziy, 1994)
languages. However, the primary textbooks for this field remain the Arabic works Talkhis al-Miftah and
Sharh Talkhis al-Miftah. This science has been consistently taught in our educational institutions,
alongside other Arabic-related disciplines, as it is considered one of the key factors for mastering the
Arabic language deeply.
The theories developed in Arabic balāǧat share many features with general linguistics and literary
studies, enabling their application to other Eastern languages. Consequently, Persian and Turkic
peoples quickly mastered this science and further developed it based on the characteristics of their own
languages. As a result, mature works were created in Persian, Turkic, and other Eastern languages,
utilizing the full potential of their respective languages. Numerous classical works can be included in
this category. Mastering the science of balāǧat is critical for becoming a specialist capable of better and
more easily understanding the language and style of such works.
Moreover, learning this science allows one to construct grammatically correct sentences in modern
Eastern languages, express ideas clearly, and create impactful sentences that attract the listener’s
attention in terms of both meaning and sound. It also enables a deeper understanding of such sentences.
CONCLUSION
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Mastering the science of balāǧat is one of the primary factors for deeply understanding Eastern
languages. Therefore, this science is essential not only for philologists but also for professionals in other
fields that rely on effective speech.
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