Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Malik al-Tai al-Jiyani, known as Ibn Malik, is a brilliant linguist and one of the greatest grammar scholars of the seventh century AH. He was born in Andalusia, where he excelled in studying the Arabic language, readings, and hadith narration. He is famous for his many works, including Al-Malifiya, known as “Alfiyyah Ibn Malik.”

He received his education in Andalusia, then immigrated to the Levant, where he settled in Damascus. He studied under the scholars of Andalusia and derived more knowledge in the Levant. He was influenced by the teachings of his sheikhs, such as Abu Ali al-Shalubin, and his knowledge expanded thanks to his lessons in Aleppo with Ibn al-Hajib and Ibn Yaish.

Ibn Malik was an imam in grammar and language, and he was an expert in Arab poetry and recitations. Al-Sir indicates that he was easily proficient in composing poetry, which led him to compose many poetic systems, including Al-Malifah Al-Nawahiyya and Al-Kafiya Al-Shafi’a, among others.

On his academic journey, he immigrated to the East, then returned to Damascus and became an imam in the Al-Adiliyya Al-Kubra School. He was famous for his high morals, and students of knowledge would gather around him to benefit from his knowledge and wisdom.

Ibn Malik was inclined towards asceticism and piety, and his high morals and humility were clear. He was interested in memorizing the Qur’an and was always seen performing prayers or reciting the Qur’an. He died in Damascus in the year 672 AH, and was buried at the foot of Mount Qasioun.

Ibn Malik left a tremendous scientific legacy in the sciences of language and grammar, and his writings and contributions continued to influence linguistic and literary studies for subsequent generations.