He was a grammarian. He is the author of the work "al-Iẓāh" and many other works. He was born in the land of Persia. Later, he came to Baghdad. He served rulers. He gained prestige and rose in rank in the presence of ʿAdūd al-Dawla. So much so that ʿAdūd al-Dawla used to say, "In the science of grammar, I am the servant of Abū ʿAlī."
This person acquired great wealth. Some accused him of Muʿtazilism, but a group among his own followers considered him superior to the Mubarrad. Among those who studied under him were Abū ʿUthmān b. Jinnī and others. He died at the age of over ninety in this year.