Alfiya

The Alfiyya of Ibn Malik () is a rhymed book of Arabic grammar written by Ibn Malik in the 13th century. The long title is ''al-Khulāsa al-alfiyya''. According to the historian Al-Maqqari, ''Al-Alfiyya'' was written in imitation of Ibn Muti al-Zawawi's ''Al-Durra al-alfiyya''. At least 43 commentaries have been written on this work, which was one of two major foundations of a beginner's education in Arab societies until the 20th century. In the 20th century, religious educational systems began to be replaced by colonial ones (such as the French schools in Morocco).Eickelman, D. F. (1992). Knowledge and Power in Morocco: The Education of a Twentieth-Century Notable. Princeton: Princeton University Press, p. 56

Along with the Ajārūmīya, the Alfiya was one of the first books to be memorized by students in religious schools after the Qur'an.

This book is still used in traditional Dars (Islamic Education system in Masjid) at south Indian state Kerala, as well as traditional Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia.

References

{{commons, Explanation of Alfiya Ibn Malik


13th-century Arabic books
Medieval Arabic poems
Arabic grammar books