Ibn 'Aqil al-Hanbali

Abu al-Wafa' Ali ibn Aqil ibn Muhammad ibn Aqil al-Baghdadi al-Hanbali was the most brilliant Hanbali jurist of the 5th-6th century AH. He studied under al-Qadi Abu Ya'la and was known for his extraordinary intellect and intellectual courage. He wrote al-Funun — described as 800 volumes in his own lifetime — an encyclopedic work covering theology, jurisprudence, linguistics, and literature. Only fragments survive. He was persecuted for some of his earlier theological views (influenced by the Mu'tazilah) but repented and remained Hanbali. He also wrote al-Wadih fi Usul al-Fiqh. He died in Baghdad in 513 AH.