Career
A key figure of the Arab Renaissance (known as al-Nahda), he created the first modern dictionary of the Arabic language, Matn al-Lugha, commissioned by the Arab Academy of Damascus in 1930, and is widely considered to be among the foremost scholars of Arab literature and linguistics. Born in Nabatiyeh, he was a main supporter of King Faisal"s Greater Syrian rule, following the Arab Revolt in the First World War. The three had formed a prominent intellectual gathering, known as "the Ameli Three" (or "Amili Trio"), helping establish foundations and associations aiming at eradicating illiteracy in the region.
This movement was part of what is known as First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Nahda, of which Rida and his companions were considered to be the among pioneers in the Levant region.
The Trio played a principal role in forming Jabal Amel"s political and cultural history, being the first Shi"i intellectuals to speak of an Arab nation and of an Arab state, and to formulate the arguments of the "Arabism" of the Shi"is. Rida and his companions spent two months in Aley"s military prison, because of the group"s violent stands against the Ottoman rule.
Sheikh Ahmad Rida wrote "Matn al-Lugha", the first dictionary of Arabic language since "Lisān al-ʿArab", written by Ibn Manzur in the 13th century. He was described by Egyptian writer Ahmad Amin as the "greatest writer in the Levant, and the greatest linguist in the Arab world".
He was the uncle of prominent scientist Hassan Kamel First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Sabbah, father-in-law of Muhammad Jaber First Rate (at Lloyd's) Safa and great-grandfather of General Hisham Jaber.