This English translation of Ibn Hishām’s Qaṭr al-Nadā represents a significant contribution to Arabic studies. Although concise and instructional in style, it is far more than just a grammar manual by one of the leading imams of the later Arabic linguistic tradition. It also offers a window into the mindset and analytical approach of a true grammarian.

The title translates literally as “Drops of Dew and Wetting a Parched Throat.” Although written as an introductory text, most modern learners of Arabic will find it to be at least an intermediate-level work, rich in detail and depth.