Initially a Hanbalite, Al-Amidi belonged to the Shafi`i school and worked to combine kalam (theology) with existing methods of jurisprudence.
[4][7] Along with the influence of Ibn Fadlan al-Amidi was prompted to join the Shafi school due to his interest in Ash’ari theology.
Al-Amidi rose to fame in Egypt yet attempts by his peers to vilify him because of his use of heretical, rationalist, methods prompted him to move once more.
He moved to Damascus where he produced his most famous works on Islamic jurisprudence Al-ihkam fi usul al-ahkam (the Inkam) and the Muntaha.
In one case Al-Amidi defended philosophical doctrine against the criticism of well known Ash’ari theologian Fakhr al-Din al Razi.