The Complete Book on Language and Literature, Volume 2

Author's name: Abu al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Yazid ibn Abd al-Akbar

nicknamed the Cooler

Al-Kamil is considered a fundamental work of literary studies and a cornerstone of the discipline. Scholars and students of literature eagerly read and taught it, some writing commentaries on it and others pointing out its errors. It is among al-Mubarrad's last works and is one of his most important books overall because it contains a vast collection of selected poetry, prose, and historical accounts, along with numerous linguistic explanations and grammatical opinions. The scholar Ibn Khaldun, in his Muqaddimah, discussed the concept of literary studies and its foundations, stating: "We heard from our teachers in educational gatherings that the foundations and pillars of this art are four books: Adab al-Kuttab by Ibn Qutaybah, Al-Kamil by al-Mubarrad, Al-Bayan wa al-Tabyin by al-Jahiz, and Al-Nawadir by Abu Ali al-Qali al-Baghdadi. Everything else is secondary and derived from these." Al-Qadi al-Fadil said, "I have read it seventy times, and each time I gain more knowledge from it."
Abu al-Faraj al-Mu'afa ibn Zakariya also spoke of the importance of the book in his book (The Sufficient, Righteous, and Healing Companion), saying: “Abu al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Yazid al-Nahwi wrote his book, which he called ‘Al-Kamil,’ and included in it accounts and stories, many of which lack chains of transmission. He included in it such a wealth of knowledge on the etymology of the language, its explanation, the clarification of its secrets, and its jurisprudence that it is unparalleled, due to the breadth of his knowledge, the strength of his understanding, the subtlety of his thought, and the clarity of his intellect. He also included in it clear and obscure aspects of grammar and syntax that few can match his stature.”