Al-êá¸ÂÃÂḥ fë ÿUlà «m al-BalÃÂgha () is a major work of Arabic rhetorical theory authored by JalÃÂl al-Dën al-Qazwënë (d. 739 AH / 1338 CE). The book serves as both a commentary and a comprehensive elaboration on his earlier work, Talkhëṣ al-MiftÃÂḥ, which itself was a condensed reworking of the rhetorical section of al-SakkÃÂkë's MiftÃÂḥ al-ÿUlà «m. While the Talkhëṣ was intended as a teaching digest, al-êá¸ÂÃÂḥ provides deeper theoretical explanations, corrections, and critical reflections on the rules and categories of Arabic rhetoric.
The author distinguished his book through thorough investigation, leaving no topicâÂÂmajor or minorâÂÂof rhetoric unaddressed. He presented each issue in a detailed and precise manner, encompassing all opinions related to it, whether from his own time or from earlier periods. JalÃÂl al-Dën al-Qazwënë said in the book's introduction:
<blockquote>âÂÂThis is a book on the science of rhetoric and its related subjects. I have named it al-IdÃÂḥ (The Elucidation) and arranged it according to the structure of my abridgment, which I titled Talkhëṣ al-MiftÃÂḥ (The Summary of the Key). I have elaborated upon it to serve as a commentary for that work: clarifying its difficult parts, explaining its concise meanings, and adding material omitted from the abridgment that is found in MiftÃÂḥ al-ÿUlà «m (The Key to the Sciences). I have also included what al-MiftÃÂḥ left out from the writings of the great Imam 'Abd al-QÃÂhir al-JurjÃÂnë (may Allah have mercy on him), in his books DalÃÂþil al-IÿjÃÂz (Proofs of Inimitability) and AsrÃÂr al-BalÃÂgha (Secrets of Eloquence), along with whatever else I could examine from the words of others. I extracted the essence of all this, refined and organized it until everything was placed in its proper place. I also added my own insightsâÂÂwhat my mind arrived at and I did not find in the works of others. Thanks to Allah, the result is a comprehensive work that gathers together the scattered elements of this science. I sincerely hope it benefits those with understanding who read it. Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs.âÂÂ</blockquote>
The text combines exposition with critique, functioning not just as a commentary but as an independent contribution to rhetorical theory. It was often used in tandem with the Talkhëṣ, allowing students to balance memorization with detailed understanding.
The work has since been published in multiple modern editions. Notable among them is the 2008 Beirut edition by DÃÂr al-KitÃÂb al-ÿArabë , edited by Muḥammad ÿAbd al-Munÿim KhafÃÂjë, and a more recent two-volume edition by DÃÂr al-Nà «r al-Mubën (Amman, 2023).