ابن هشام الأنصاري refers to

أبو محمد عبد الملك بن هشام بن أيوب بن هشام بن الكلبي الأنصاري

(d. 218 AH / 833 CE). He is a highly significant figure in Islamic studies, most famous for his biography of the Prophet Muhammad, *سيرة ابن هشام* (Sirat Ibn Hisham).

While there were other Ibn Hishams, this particular Ibn Hisham is the one primarily referenced when the name is used without further qualification. His *Sirah* is considered a crucial primary source for understanding the life of the Prophet, despite it being a compilation and expansion of earlier works, most notably Ibn Ishaq[SQ]s biography. It[SQ]s a cornerstone text in Islamic history and hadith studies.