Abayei was an Amorah from the forth generation of Amoraim (the sages of the Gemarah), who lived in Babylon. His father died before he was born and his mother died while giving birth to him, thus he was raised by his uncle, Ravah Bar Nachmani.
Abayei is famous for his many halachic disputes with Rabbah, mentioned throughout the Gemarah. He was also head of the big Yeshivah of Pumpeditah.
Abayei was known for his love for all mankind, especially when it came to elderly people; he would lend a hand to any old man he saw in the street. In the Gemarah it says, that when Abayei passed away, the waters of the Tigris River boiled and the two riversides collided.
Abayei is buried in the Galilee near Tsfat.