BUSIRI, AL-

born c. 1212, , Abusir or Dilas, Egypt died c. 1295, , Alexandria in full Sharaf Ad-din Muhammad Ibn Sa'id Al-busiri As-sanhaji Arabic poet of Berber descent who won fame for his poem al-Burdah (The Poem of the Scarf, 1893). In this poem al-Busiri said that he had devoted his life to poetry. He also worked as a copyist, being known for his calligraphy. It was said that he wrote his famous poem in praise of the Prophet Muhammad after being cured of partial paralysis when the Prophet appeared to him in a dream and wrapped him in a mantle. In the poem, al-Busiri contrasts the shortcomings of his life with the miracles of Muhammad. The poem has been much venerated by Muslims, and its verses have been used as amulets and in lamentations for the dead. It has frequently been commented on, edited, and made the basis for new poems.