al-Amidi

Sayf al-Din Abu al-Hasan 'Ali ibn Abi 'Ali al-Amidi (c. 551–631 AH / c. 1156–1233 CE) was one of the most influential theorists of usul al-fiqh — the "roots" or methodology by which jurists derive Islamic law. He took his name from Amid (modern Diyarbakir, in today's southeastern Turkey), where he was born and began his studies. Sources report that he moved through several major centres of learning: Baghdad, where he studied jurisprudence under the Shafi'i teacher Ibn Fadlan and also took up philosophy (falsafa); then Egypt, where in 592/1195–6 he taught at the Jami' al-Zafiri in Cairo and gained renown.

His command of the "rational sciences" — logic, philosophy, and kalam (speculative theology) — won him fame but also drew accusations of heresy from rivals. Tradition holds that this pressure forced him to leave Cairo for Hama, in Syria, where he entered the service of an Ayyubid ruler, and later for Damascus, where he taught at the al-'Aziziyya madrasa before being dismissed for teaching philosophy. He died in Damascus in Safar 631 (November 1233).

In legal theory his major work is al-Ihkam fi usul al-ahkam; in theology, Abkar al-afkar. He is generally classed as a Shafi'i jurist and an Ash'ari theologian (the school associated with reconciling reason and revelation). Sources differ on his exact path between law schools: some report he began as a Hanbali and later became Shafi'i, others the reverse.