Explanation of Ibn Malik’s (may Allah have mercy on him) statement: The Demonstrative Noun
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : He said: "The Demonstrative Noun". The demonstrative noun is one of the types of definite nouns, because there are five types of definite nouns: the pronoun, the proper name, the demonstrative noun, the relative pronoun, and the noun prefixed with the article (al). The sixth type is the circumstantial, which is a noun attached to one of these five types. The demonstrative noun ranks third in definiteness, because the most definite of the definite nouns is the pronoun, except for the Name of Allah, which is the most definite of all definite nouns. Next comes the proper name, and next comes the demonstrative noun. The demonstrative noun is: "that which indicates a referred-to object", and the referred-to object is: "that which is specified by means of indication". A proper name specifies its referent by means of naming, whereas this is specified by means of indication. I say to you: "This cap." Now, how did I specify this?
The student: By indication.
The Shaykh : By indication. So now this cap, which is above my head right now, has become a definite noun because I specified it by indication. It is less definite than a proper name and less definite than a pronoun. Also, the demonstrative noun varies according to the referred-to object. The referred-to object may be a singular feminine or masculine, or a dual feminine or masculine, or a plural feminine or masculine. Thus, there are six categories: singular masculine, singular feminine, dual masculine, dual feminine, plural masculine, and plural feminine. The author (may Allah have mercy on him) has explained all these categories.
The student: By indication.
The Shaykh : By indication. So now this cap, which is above my head right now, has become a definite noun because I specified it by indication. It is less definite than a proper name and less definite than a pronoun. Also, the demonstrative noun varies according to the referred-to object. The referred-to object may be a singular feminine or masculine, or a dual feminine or masculine, or a plural feminine or masculine. Thus, there are six categories: singular masculine, singular feminine, dual masculine, dual feminine, plural masculine, and plural feminine. The author (may Allah have mercy on him) has explained all these categories.