A question regarding Ibn Aqil’s commentary on the meaning of Ibn Malik’s statement, “Like: Your father’s brother came, having a limp,” and whether the descriptive phrase (hal) can be attributed to both the possessive noun and the possessed noun.

The questioner : He says: His statement, “having a limp”, is a descriptive phrase (hal) referring to the possessive noun, which is “brother,” and not to the possessed noun, because the condition for that is absent, as indicated in his subsequent statement: “And a descriptive phrase (hal) referring to the possessive noun is not sufficient.” The word “al-‘atla” (limp) with a kasrah on the taa is the verbal noun (masdar) of “i’tala,” meaning: to limp and to intend.

The Shaykh : Yes, good. Which is the possessive noun? In our case, “brother” is the possessive noun attached to “father,” and “father” is the possessive noun attached to the kaff (you).

The questioner : But “brother”...

The Shaykh : Yes, but now “your father” is a possessive noun and a possessed noun. The first possessive noun is “brother” attached to “father,” and “father” is attached to the kaff (you). So, is it from “father,” the possessive noun, or from “brother,” the possessive noun?

The questioner : It is a descriptive phrase (hal) referring to the possessive noun, which is “brother.”

The Shaykh : He says, “and it is ‘brother’,” making it explicit. Anyway, in any case, we see that both options are permissible, so that “father” could also be described as “having a limp.”

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : My brothers, let us not dwell on this; this is simple.

The questioner : Until we know.

The Shaykh : The meaning.

The questioner : No, the author of the book.

The Shaykh : This is al-Khudri’s commentary on Ibn Aqil.