Convergence and Divergence Between the Andalusian and Egyptian Grammatical Schools

The emergence of grammar was linked to the ultimate goal of preserving the Quranic text from distortion and guiding its interpretation according to the correct meanings. Thus, the first grammatical schools appeared in Basra aimed at developing the science established by Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi, with notable figures such as Sibawayh and Al-Mubarred. Subsequently, Kufa contributed to the field of grammar, giving rise to the Kufi school, which had its own regulations and opinions that often contradicted those of the Basran school on many grammatical issues, with prominent figures like Al-Kisai and Al-Farra among them. The influence of this science then extended to Baghdad, leading to the emergence of the Baghdadi school, a blend of the two previous Iraqi schools.
Consequently, scholars from Andalusia sought knowledge by traveling to learn from the scholars of the Iraqi schools, successfully establishing the Andalusian grammatical school to disseminate this knowledge among Arabs distanced from the Arabic environment. The study of grammar then spread beyond Iraq and Andalusia, leading to the emergence of the Egyptian school, headed by Ibn Hisham, who was said to be "more grammatical than Sibawayh." This school encompasses grammatical studies in Egypt and the Levant and was founded after the Franks occupied Granada, making Egypt and the Levant centers of scholarship.
This research focuses on the efforts of the Andalusian and Egyptian schools, for several reasons: their geographical distance from the birthplace of grammar in the Iraqi schools, their similar origins, and their shared experiences in receiving a mature grammatical tradition from earlier scholars. Both schools drew upon the opinions of previous schools while forming their own unique perspectives, either in agreement or disagreement. The study also highlights the points of convergence and divergence between the Andalusian and Egyptian schools, in addition to detailing what distinguished each school from the other.