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Liu Min-zhong (1243-1318), had written a book named Zhong An Ji, preserved in (among others) the Yongle Dadian. Written on imperial order; the most important part of the book is the section on epigraphs. Sayyid Bin Abu Ali (from Oman) was called “Sa Yi Di” by the Chinese. An inscription in his grave commemorating him written in Chinese by Liu Minzhong – one of the most well-known poets of that time – remains the tangible evidence of Sayyid’s uncommon life.
Taken from: The Silk Roads Highways of Culture and Commerce By Vadime Elisseeff
The real name of Bu A Li (Abu’Ali) in Chinese was Sa Yi Di (Sayyid). His home town was a city called Ha La Ha Di (Qalhat in Oman) in Chinese. His forefathers had emigrated to a coastal territory called Xi Yang (Western Ocean) (from other documents we know it is Ma’abar) where they settled as merchants. The father of Sayyid called Bu A Li (Abu’ Ali) had enjoyed the trust of the king of that territory. The king was one of five brothers, and Abu' Ali had been called the sixth brother, and had been ordered to rule over some tribes. So he became very rich and had a hundred servants and concubines. His bed was made of ivory and he owned a lot of gold ornaments. When Abu’ Ali died, he was succeeded by Sayyid. The King called him by his father’s name Abu' Ali. So only a few people knew that his name was Sayyid.
Note: from other documents we know he had finally to flee from India to China as he mixed up his merchant business (export of e.g. ivory from Oman to China) with the duties for his king.