His kunyah was Abū Ṭāhir. He was born in Isfahan. He learned the nikaḥ (marriage contract) in Samarkand. He was the cause of Samarkand's conquest by Sultan Malikshāh. He was among the leaders of the Shāfiʿī ulema. He heard many ḥadīth. ʿAbd al-Wahhāb b. Mandaḥ said: "In our time, we have not seen a faqīr (poor scholar) more just or more knowledgeable than him."
Abdurrahman was eloquent in dialect, very generous, and blessed with abundant bounty. He died in Baghdad. Viziers and state dignitaries came on foot to the funeral ceremony. Only Niẓām al-Mulk, citing old age as an excuse, came mounted on his mount.
Abdurrahman was buried next to the tomb of Shaykh Abū Isḥāq al-Shīrāzī. Sultan Malikshāh visited the tomb.
Ibn ʿAqīl said: "On the morning of the condolence, I sat next to Niẓām al-Mulk. The rulers stood before him. Because of my scholarship, I was able to show courage to sit beside him." Ibn Jawzī said thus.