born 1149, Rayy, Iran
died 1209, near Her 0101; t, Khw 0101; rezm
Islamic scholar and theologian. He traveled widely before settling in Her 0101; t (in modern Afghanistan).
The author of more than 100 books (on subjects as diverse as medicine, mineralogy, and grammar), he gained fame and wealth through his scholarship and skill in debate, in which he often presented unorthodox views fully and favorably before refuting them. Though this led to accusations of heresy, it has preserved information about little-known sects. His works include one of the major commentaries on the Qur 02BE; 0101; n, The Keys to the Unknown (or The Great Commentary ), and Collection of the Opinions of Ancients and Moderns , a classic of kal 0101; m . His bad temper earned him many enemies, and he may have been poisoned to death.