The Derived Ḥāl (Circumstantial Accusative) in the Book Minhāj al-Barāʿah: An Applied Grammatical Study

Abstract

Abstract Nahj al-Balagha holds a sublime status among scholars and has garnered widespread admiration for its eloquence and rhetoric. Consequently, numerous commentaries have revolved around it, foremost among which is the book Minhaj al-Bara'ah fi Sharh Nahj al-Balagha by Habibullah al-Khouei (d. 1324 AH). This research deals with the study of the derived circumstantial accusative (Al-Hal al-Mushtaqqah) in Minhaj al-Bara'ah. The study aims to trace the instances where the derived Hal occurs within this commentary and to analyze them through an applied grammatical approach, in accordance with the rules established by grammarians that derivation in Hal is a predominant characteristic (wasf ghalib) rather than an obligatory one (lazim).

The research adopts a descriptive-analytical method based on extrapolating textual evidence from the commentary and then classifying them according to their morphological derivative forms, such as the active participle (Ism al-Fa'il), intensive forms (Siyagh al-Mubalaghah), passive participle (Ism al-Maful), assimilative adjective (Al-Sifah al-Mushabbahah), and noun of superiority/elative (Ism al-Tafdil). Furthermore, the study discusses the commentator's perspective—stated explicitly in multiple places—which posits that derivation is not a strict prerequisite for Hal. The research concludes that derivation in Hal remains predominant according to those who consider it a condition.