He was a poet. His real name was Aḥmad b. ʿAbdallāh b. Aḥmad b. Ghālib b. Zaydun Abū al-Walīd. He was a master poet. He was from the city of Kūrtuba in al-Andalus. He established a connection with Mutamid b. ʿAbbād, the governor of Išbīliya. He gained prestige in his company. He served as an advisor with the rank of vizier. He served as vizier both to him and to his son Abū Bakr b. Abū al-Walīd. Ibn Zaydun is the author of the Qaṣīda al-Firāqiyya. In his qaṣīda he says:
“Since we parted from each other, our chests have not been satisfied with tears.
The tears in our eyes have not dried because of our longing for you. — While whispering with you, our hearts were almost about to stop from sorrow if we had not been patient.
Because of your distance from us, our days have darkened.
Previously, when we were with you, our nights were pure white and bright.
Yesterday, when we were together, we did not fear separation. But today, we do not even hope for reunion.”
In the long Firāqiyya qaṣīda there is a strong artistic power that encourages one to weep. Everyone who reads or listens to it cannot hold back tears. Indeed, everyone inevitably experiences an event of parting and farewell from a friend, relative, or beloved.
This poem also belongs to Ibn Zaydun:
“If you wish, no secret between you and me will be lost.
Even if all secrets spread around, ours will not spread.
O you who sold your share to me!
Even if you were to give your life to me as a gift,
I will not sell my share in the shared secret.
Even if you load on my heart what all the hearts of people cannot bear,
My heart has the strength to bear it.
This is enough for you.
If you are weak, I will carry it.
If you cannot endure, I will endure patiently.
You be exalted, I will be humble. You turn away, I will turn toward. You speak, I will listen. You command, I will obey.”
Ibn Zaydun died in the month of Rajab of this year. His son Abū Bakr continued to serve as vizier to Mutamid b. ʿAbbād. Finally, Ibn Yāsīn took Kūrtuba from him in the year 484 AH, and he was killed in that battle. Ibn Ḥallikān said thus.