Abū'l-Fath ʿUthmān b. Jinnī al-Muṣilī. He was a grammarian and lexicographer. He is the author of valuable works on the science of grammar (naḥw) and lexicography (lugha) that have circulated in manuscript form. Jinnī was a Roman slave. He was the slave of Sulaymān b. Fahd b. Aḥmad al-Azdī al-Muṣilī. One of his poems concerning his lineage is as follows:
"Even if I am without lineage, among the people my knowledge is a lineage for me.
Moreover, I belong to great masters and noble personalities; my lineage comes from them.
They are Caesars; when they speak, they overpower and invalidate the times that bring about events.
The Prophet prayed for them. The Prophet's prayer is sufficient honor for them."
Ibn Jinnī resided in Baghdad. He taught lessons in knowledge there until he passed away on the second night of the month of Ṣafar, which was a Friday night.
Ibn Ḥallikān said: "It is narrated that he was one-eyed. On this matter, he has the following poem:
"Abandon me, for I no longer have sin. I have no crime to prove that I am ill-intentioned. I swear by your life that my weeping is due to the fear of losing my other eye. If I were not afraid of losing you, there would be no benefit in keeping my other eye open." These couplets are attributed to another, but are narrated by Ibn Jinnī.
Also, he has a beautiful poem about his handsome but one-eyed slave:
"He has one eye that is worth all eyes.
He has an eye that has been gazed upon by other eyes."
He is recognized among the famous figures who died in the year 392 AH. Among them is also the renowned master ʿAbū'l-Ḥasan al-Jurjānī.