Ali was chosen by his father, the Da'i al-MutlaqHatim ibn Ibrahim, as his successor on the recommendation of Hatim's ma'dhun (senior deputy to the Da'i al-Mutlaq), Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-Walid, who had been his tutor.[1] When Hatim died in 1199, Ali succeeded him, still with Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-Walid as his ma'dhun.[1]
During his tenure he was forced to move the headquarters of the Tayyibi da'wa from the fortress of Haraz to Sanaa, because the Ya'buri family ruling Haraz fell into fratricidal conflict and turned against the Tayyibis.[2][3] The Hamdanids of Sanaa welcomed him, and their overlords, the Ayyubids, did not oppose his presence in the city.[1]
Ali later moved to Zimarmar but was taken back to San'a' when he fell ill.
Death
Ali died on 31 May 1209,[2] and with him ended the Hamidi line. He was succeeded by Ali ibn Muhammad, who founded the Banu al-Walid al-Anf line of Tayyibi Da'i al-Mutlaqs.[4]
He is buried in Sanaa, but the site of his grave is unknown.