The Sun of Knowledge (Shams al-Ma'arif): An Arabic Grimoire in Selected Translation

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The Sun of Knowledge ( Shams al-Ma‘arif) is one of the most revered historical grimoires of the Arabic corpus. Feared by some, hallowed by others, it is one of the most famous – or infamous – books in the Arabic-speaking and Islamicate world. Written in Egypt in the thirteenth century by a Sufi mystic and mage of Algerian origin, the Shams presents the fundamentals of Arabic-Islamic occult work – from spiritual cosmology and astrology (including various particularly lunar magics) to working with spirits and jinn, magical employment of letters and numbers, and the occult applications of the Qur’an – thereby comprising a veritable encyclopedia of Islamicate magical wisdom and formulae. Images and descriptions of amulets and talismans adorn it. Numerous beautiful manuscripts of the Sun of Knowledge have survived, various of which have been used as a basis for this present work. But when a person commits shirk (poltheism), they attempt to, willingly or unwillingly, direct an injustice towards the one who has provided them with all these necessary things - and often a whole lot more. This One who provides us with all our needs and wants is of course Allah, the Lord of this universe. So is it right for us to commit this offence against the one who has provided us with all that we could possibly need?

In contemporary form, the book consists of two volumes; Shams al-Ma'arif al-Kubra [b] and Shams al-Ma'arif al-Sughra, [c] the former being the larger of the two. [5] [6] The first few chapters introduce the reader to magic squares, and the combination of numbers and the alphabet that are believed to bring magical effect, which the author claims is the only way to communicate with jinn, angels and spirits. The table of contents that were introduced in the later printed editions of the work contain a list of unnumbered chapters ( faṣl), which stretch to a number of 40. However, prior to the printing press and various other standardisations, there were three independent volumes that circulated, each one differing in length. [7] In 2022 a partial English translation by Amina Inloes was published by Revelore Press as "Shams al-Ma’arif: The Sun of Knowledge An Arabic Grimoire: A selected Translation" [16] The Jewish people were granted many favours by Allah. But this favouritism resulted in them becoming arrogant, and the favours of Allaah were taken away from them. The Shams al-Ma'arif combines magic squares, Arabic letter magic, Quranic verses and the names of Allah with astrological timing. Since there are 28 letters of the Arabic alphabet and 28 Arabic Mansions of the Moon, the letter correspondences of the Mansions are particularly influential. Like Picatrix the Shams al-Ma'arif is much more than simply a recipe book of talismans, which are typically secondary to its main purpose of elucidating esoteric knowledge and occult sciences as well as exemplifying Sufi wisdom.

shams al ma'arif english translation pdf download

The Prophet said: "Whoever says La illaha illa-Allaah, it will be his salvation someday, no matter befalls him before that." (This was reported by Baihaqi, declared authentic by Albaanee in Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah In 2023 another English translation of the Shams al Ma'arif was published by Johann Voldemont as ''Shams al-Ma'arif:Talismans and Magic Squares'' which focuses primarily on the talismans and magic squares contained within the text. [17] Outside of the Arab and Western world, several editions of the book have been published in the Urdu and Turkish languages. [18] [19] [20] See also [ edit ] Shams al-Ma'arif or Shams al-Ma'arif wa Lata'if al-'Awarif (Arabic: كتاب شمس المعارف ولطائف العوارف‎, lit. "The Book of the Sun of Gnosis and the Subtleties of Elevated Things") is a 13th-century grimoire written on Arabic magic and a manual for achieving esoteric spirituality. It was written by Ahmad al-Buni in Ayyubid Egypt, who died around 1225 CE (622 AH). The Shams al-Ma'arif is generally regarded as the most influential textbook of its type in the Arab and Muslim worlds,[1] and is arguably as important as, if not more than, the Picatrix in both hemispheres. And who can be better in religion than one who submits his face (himself) to Allâh ( i.e. follows Allâh’s religion of Islâmic Monotheism); and he is a Muhsin (a good-doer - See V.2:112). And follows the religion of Ibrâhîm[1](Abraham) Hanîfa (Islâmic Monotheism - to worship none but Allâh Alone). And Allâh did take Ibrâhîm (Abraham) as a Khalîl (an intimate friend)!

Although a translation into English has not been undertaken, there have been numerous renditions of a few of the more popular rituals found within the main treatise, as well as those that lie in its accompanying text. Some of these rituals have had various degrees of notability, but one of recurring presence in many publications is that of the Birhatiya [12] [13] [14] (also known as The Ancient Oath or Red Sulphur [15]). Shams Al-Ma'arif Al-Kobra: v. 2: Illumination of Knowledge [Hardcover] Ahmad Al-Buni (Author) Book Description This is volume 2 a continuation of the original manuscript of Shams al-ma'arif al-kobra (The Illumination of Knowledge) by renowned Sufi Ahmed ibn 'Ali ibn Yusuf al-Buni (d1225). It is one of the most widely read medieval treatise on talismans, magic square and prayers of protection against magic. It also includes a number of sciences including ilm al-Hikmah (knowledge of Wisdom), ilm al-simiyah (study of Divine Names) and Ruhaniyat (spirituality). His control in the universe is strengthened and God, exalted be it, frees him from all misfortunes and avoids everything that displeases him. And whoever uses his zikr, learns what he did not know and wisdom becomes manifest in his words. To know of the dangers of shirk should be of primary importance. Whether we are Muslim or not, we should realise that it is the crime of shirk which has led to the destruction of our world. By taking man away from the worship of Allah, it has led him to the worship of other men, leading to oppression and tyranny. By confining man to the narrowness of this world, it will deny him the vastness of the hereafter, which leads to justice and success. Therefore surely . . . . shirk is the ultimate crime.This exegesis of the divine name Al-Alim, the All Knowing, is of great interest. The author notes the standard understanding, which remains true today, the more knowledge one obtains, the wiser one is, and at knowledge consists of concepts and the outward appearance of things. The author contrasts this knowledge of the scholars with true knowledge, the all encompassing knowledge of the inner realities of things. This wisdom is exemplified by the figure of Khizr whose wisdom surpassed even Moses, not because Khizr had more knowledge than Moses, but because he understood the hidden secrets and inner nature of all things. Khizr was superior to Moses in gnosis, not knowledge. Iqbal al-Din Ahmad, Shams al-Ma'arif al-Kubra Wa Lata'if al-'Awarif. Urdu, Darul Ishaat, Karachi, Pakistan: 1978.

The creed of Ibrāhīm, millata Ibrāhīm, known as al-Ḥanīfiyyah, is the most primordial, pristine, uncorrupted precursor to all heavenly-revealed religions Despite the current popularity of Picatrix the Shams Al-Ma'arif or the Sun of Wisdom is a much more widely known and used book of magic in the Arabic speaking world. Traditionally attributed to the 13th century Sufi and master of the esoteric science of Arabic letters Ahmad bin Ali Al-buni. While current scholarship has cast doubt on Al-Buni's authorship of the received version of the Shams Al-Ma'arif its influence on Arabic magic is vast. And since the manifestation of Science belongs to the sanctified spirits, the spirit of the angel Jibrāīl is destined to instruct the prophets, being one of the noblest our prophet Muhammad, God bless and save him! who was inspired by humility, for Allah said: "He has taught an angel of great power and strength, since he appeared in his true form." Noble Quran, Sura 56, verses 5-6. The Sun of Knowledge (Shams al-Ma'arif) is one of the most revered historical grimoires of the Arabic corpus. Feared by some, hallowed by others, it is one of the most famous - or infamous - books in the Arabic-speaking and Islamicate world. Written in Egypt in the thirteenth century by a Sufi mystic and mage of Algerian origin, the Shams presents the fundamentals of Arabic-Islamic occult work - from spiritual cosmology and astrology (including various particularly lunar magics) to working with spirits and jinn, magical employment of letters and numbers, and the occult applications of the Qur'an - thereby comprising a veritable encyclopedia of Islamicate magical wisdom and formulae. Images and descriptions of amulets and talismans adorn it. Numerous beautiful manuscripts of the Sun of Knowledge have survived, various of which have been used as a basis for this present work. Never before published in English, this selected translation includes sections of the Sun of Knowledge on the mysteries of the letters, astrological timings, lunar mansions, the ancient Arab beliefs surrounding the stars, planetary matters, astronomy, the angels for and workings pertaining to the four seasons, summoning the jinn, the employment of the names of God for many and varied purposes, the construction of the famed ring of Solomon, and a miscellany of tried-and-true talismans. This selected translation takes a general approach to a much vaster text, and features illustrations, original artwork, and commentary to assist those unfamiliar with Islamic magic and culture. This edition is also ideal for any student of magic or the occult, classical Arabic astrology and astronomy, Islamic esotericism, or Sufism.In contemporary form the book consists of two volumes; Shams al-Ma'arif al-Kubra and Shams al-Ma'arif al-Sughra, the former being the larger of the two.[2][3] The first few chapters introduce the reader to magic squares, and the combination of numbers and the alphabet that are believed to bring magical effect, which the author insists is the only way to communicate with jinn, angels and spirits. The table of contents that were introduced in the later printed editions of the work contain a list of unnumbered chapters (faṣl), which stretch to a number of 40. However, prior to the printing press and various other standardisations, there were three independent volumes that circulated, each one differing in length.[4]

This first category of tawheed is known as tawheedur-ruboobiyyah or the unity of Allah's lordship. Through this we understand that it is Allah who alone created the universe which is why one of his divine names is Al-Khaliq (the Creator). Through this we know that it is Allaah alone who controls the universe and allows things to happen. This is why Allaah refers to himself in the Qur'aan as AI-Malik (The Owner of the universe). Hence when something happens, it only happens with the permission of Allaah: This campaign is to support me to put the hard efforts and time to bring this piece of art to all English speakers, not only as a translator but also as a magician. Ilm al-Hurūf, the esoteric science of Arabic letters, there is much in the Shams Al-Ma'arif that is a mystery to me. Nevertheless, the light of wisdom shines very clearly through it. A basic component of the science of letters is the fact that in Arabic, the letters denote numbers and thus can be used numerologically. Many complex number calculations and letter correspondences are used. The key insight that is invisible to modern materialists is that this is not a symbolic system, rather there are fundamental underlying spiritual realities that the letters embody and are intiminately connected to. For Sufis versed in this art the realization dawns that the One has manifested reality and continues to sustain and control it through the divine letters and words. Thus the written symbols and spoken sounds that we take as words and letters are only a shadow of these divine letters and words. As it says in the Noble Quran, "When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is." Noble Quran, Surah 3 Ali-Imran, verse 47. The saying here is the divine manifestation of the appropriate name, i.e. its letters and words. These names, these interrelationships can therefore be used magically, but their true knowledge brings gnosis, direct awareness of reality and the One. For the Sufi, each name also holds a different spiritual power that can be accessed via meditative chants called dhikr. The Shams al-Ma’arif takes this one step further and is a treatise on the properties of each of Allah’s names. It claims reciting the different names in certain ways can grant believers access to divine powers and magics. Narratives of Danger: The Sun of Knowledge in Arabic Occulture". Leidenislamblog. June 30, 2022 . Retrieved June 1, 2023.Dawud al-Jili Habib al-Ajami Hasan al-Basri. Buni states in the same work that he acquired his knowledge of magical squares through the following retrograde chain of teachers: Siraj al-Din al-Hanafi Shihab al-Din al-Muqaddasi Shams al-Din al-Farisi Shihab al-Din al-Hamadani Qutb al-Din al-Diya’i Muhyiddin ibn Arabi Abu’l Abbas Ahmad ibn al-Turizi Abu Abdullah al-Qurashi Abu Madin al-Andalusi. Buni states that he acquired additional knowledge about the esoteric art of letters and the magical squares through the following retrograde chain of teachers: Mohammad 'Izz al-Din ibn Jam’a Mohammad al-Sirani Shihab al-Din al-Hamadani Qutb al-Din al-Dhiya’i Muhyiddin ibn Arabi. Buni states that he acquired his occult knowledge through the following retrograde chain of teachers: Abu’l Abbas Ahmad ibn Maymun al-Qastalani Abu Abdullah Muhammad al-Qurashi Abu Madin Shu'ayb ibn Hasan al-Ansari al-Andalusi Abu Ayyub ibn Abi Sa'id al-Sanhaji al-Armuzi Abi Muhammad ibn Nur Abu al-Fadhl Abdullah ibn Bashr Abu Bashr al-Hasan al-Jujari Al-Saqati Dawud al-Ta’i Habib al-Ajami Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Sirin Malik ibn Anas. Buni also made regular mention of Plato, Aristotle, Hermes, Alexander the Great, and obscure names of Chaldæan magicians. In one of his works, he recounted a story of his discovery of a cache of manuscripts buried under the pyramids, that included a work of Hermetic thinkers. His works on traditional healing remain a point of reference among Yoruba Muslim healers in Nigeria and other areas of the Muslim world. For information on his writings, see Ullmann, M. - Die Naturund Geheimwissenschaften im Islam, Handbuch der