A man of learning who lived at the time Urfa was recaptured from the Crusaders in 1144 by Imâdüddin Zengî, the Atabeg of Mosul. His nisba suggests he was a relative of Imâdüddin Zengî; he is said to have entered the city likely as the army's imam and to have been martyred in the fighting of the conquest, the title 'Hoca' before his name indicating membership of the learned class. His grave is in the courtyard of the Pazar Mosque (formerly 'Hoca Ahmed Mosque'), east of Haşimiye Square in the centre. His death is dated to about 1144.