In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Shaikh Al-Islam’s Justified Question and Stance Annoys Abu Hayyaan

Imam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: “Abu Hayyaan Al-Misree, the well-known author of Al-Bahrul Muheet, used to extol Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah. When Shaikh Al-Islam arrived in Misr, he sat with Abu Hayyaan and discussed Arabic grammatical issues, thus Abu Hayyaan cited proofs from Seebawayh’s book, saying, “Seebawayh said such and such, so how can you oppose him?” Shaikh Al-Islam said to him, “Is Seebawayh a Prophet in grammar, and therefore we must follow him?! Indeed, he [Seebawayh] made errors in over eighty places in the book that neither you nor he is aware of.” Following this, Abu Hayyaan wrote a poem in which he censured Shaikh Al-Islam. We ask Allah for well-being and may Allah pardon us and all of them”.

[Sharh Hilyati Taalibal Ilm. pages 175 – 176]