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Imam al-Shatibi and Imam Ibn Malik were both great Andulusian scholars from the 5th Century AH. Coincidentally they were also great friends who had each specialised in different areas of the Islamic Sciences. Al-Shatibi was a initially a grammarian, proficient in the Arabic language and Ibn Malik was a scholar in Fiqh (Jurisprudence) and Seerah.

It is said that one day whilst they were conversing, one of them (I believe Ibn Malik) said to the other: ‘You are a scholar in such-and-such field, so become a scholar in another field and author something new therein.’ They challenged each other (as friends usually do!) and each took up the challenge of his companion.

It was here that Imam al-Shatibi wrote his famous nadhm (poem) in the Sciences of Qira’aat titled ‘Hirz al-Amani wa Wajh al-Tahani’ more commonly known as ‘al-Shatibiyyah’. Ibn Malik on the other hand wrote his piece in Nahw (grammar) and Sarf  – which is none other than the famous ‘Alfiyyat Ibn Malik.

Each of their poetic works  is over 1000 lines each with the Shatibiyyah alone consisting of 1173 lines covering all the rules of the 7 Qira’at, each with its subsequent 2 riwayat (variants of recitation).

Anyone who’s read or studied the Shatibiyyah will know the complexity and density of its verses as it is a codified text with great depth in language and hence needs thorough explaining, and in a way ‘decrypting’. As for the Alfiyyah, well there there, is a true masterpiece indeed…

… And so what are friends for, if they don’t encourage one another like these two scholars did? 🙂

May Allah have mercy upon them and allow us to benefit from good companionship like these two Imams did. Amin!