About the Author

Būsīrī (Abū 'Abdallāh Muhammad ibn Sa'īd ul-Būsīrī) (1211–1294) was an Egyptian poet who wrote under the patronage of Ibn Hinna, the vizier. The most famous of his poems is the present work "Poem of the Mantle". It is entirely in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, who cured the poet of paralysis by appearing to him in a dream and wrapping him in a mantle. The poem is considered sacred, even in the poet's lifetime. Up to the present time its verses are used as amulets; recited at births and other joyous occasions; it has been frequently edited and made the basis for other poems.