Ibn Bassam

Bassam describes how the incessant invasions of the Christians forced him to run away from Santarém in Portugal, "the last of the cities of the west," after seeing his lands ravaged and his wealth destroyed, a ruined man with no possessions save his battered sword. Especially well known is his anthology Dhakhīra fī mahāsin ahl al-Jazīra (The Treasury concerning the Merits of the People of Iberia), an important source relating to the Almoravid dynasty. In an article about the poet Abū Bakr 'Ubāda ibn Mā' as-Samā' in this work, Ibn Bassam describes the invention of the muwaššaḥ, ascribing the invention to the 10th century blind poet Muhammad Mahmud al-Qabri or Ibn ‘Abd Rabbih.

• Name — Ibn Bassam • Native Name — أَبُو اَلْحَسَنِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ بَسَّامٍ اَلشَّنْتَرِينِيُّ • Birth Name — Abū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī ibn Bassām al-Shantarīnī • Born — 1058 CE • Birthplace — Santarém, Al-Andalus (modern-day Portugal) • Died — 1147 CE • Occupation — Poet, Historian • Notable Works — Dhakhīra fī mahāsin ahl al-Jazīra • Era — Almoravid era • Influences — Ibn Hayyan, Abu Mansur al-Tha'alibi

Ibn Bassam is recorded as a citizen of Almoravid dynasty. Recorded with the occupation historian. Recorded with the occupation poet. Identity and origins. The authorities additionally record the heading Abū al-Ḥasan ‘Alī ibn Bassām al-Shantarīnī. His recorded language was Arabic. His recorded confession was Islam.