Shams al-Ma'arif (Sun of Knowledge), a 13th-century grimoire on Islamic mysticism and occultism by Ahmad al-Buni, was historically unavailable in English for centuries. However, recent years have seen the release of several key English translations and partial versions that are now available for purchase or viewing in digital formats. Notable English Translations
Shams Al-maarif, also known as Shams al-Ma'arif al-Kubra, is a renowned Arabic grimoire attributed to the 13th-century Sufi mystic Ahmad al-Buni. The text is a comprehensive guide to magic, spirituality, and mysticism, containing various rituals, prayers, and talismans. For centuries, Shams Al-maarif has been a highly sought-after manuscript, captivating the interest of scholars, mystics, and occult practitioners worldwide.
For the uninitiated, this 13th-century text by Ahmad al-Buni is often called "the most dangerous book in the world." For practitioners of Arabic magic (sīmiyā’ and rūḥāniyyāt), it is an encyclopedic grimoire. For Islamic scholars, it is a controversial masterpiece of letter mysticism.
Shams Al-Ma'arif is a renowned Arabic grimoire written in the 13th century by Ahmad al-Buni, an Egyptian scholar and mystic. The book is considered one of the most important and influential works on Islamic magic and spirituality.
. It provides a "selected" translation of the vast original text to focus on its most influential segments. Archives & Public Libraries
While the desire to download a free is understandable (given the rarity of the text), there are significant risks.
Elias focused his eyes on a massive, complex magic square filling the screen. He began to read the translated phonetic incantation aloud, his voice a low whisper in the empty room.
For centuries, no full English translation existed. Recently, a significant partial translation titled The Sun of Knowledge (Shams al-Ma'arif): An Arabic Grimoire in English was released by Revelore Press , translated by Amina Inloes. This version is widely considered the gold standard for English speakers, providing scholarly context and clear diagrams.