Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra, also titled Shams al-Ma’arif wa Lata’if al-‘Awarif, is a manuscript attributed to Ahmad ibn ‘Ali al-Buni, who died in 622 AH. The book is associated with sorcery, jinn invocation, and occult practices, and is considered forbidden to read by consensus among Muslim scholars. Despite this prohibition, edited and distorted versions of the text have been printed in recent decades, with many of its original elements either removed or altered. Nevertheless, the book continues to contain ambiguous and dangerous content related to magic.
The first volume of Shams al-Ma’arif, comprising 577 pages, was printed by al-Maktaba al-Sha‘biyya in Beirut in 1985. It includes four treatises appended at the end by ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni al-Adhami:
- Mīzān al-‘Adl fī Maqāsid Ahkām al-Raml (The Scale of Justice in the Principles of Geomancy)
- Fawātih al-Raghā’ib fī Khuṣūṣiyyāt al-Kawākib (Openings of Aspirations on the Particularities of the Planets)
- Zahr al-Marūj fī Dalā’il al-Burūj (The Blooming Meadows in the Evidences of the Zodiac)
- Laṭā’if al-Ishārah fī Khaṣā’iṣ Bidāyat Shams al-Ma‘ārif al-Kubrā (Subtle Allusions on the Characteristics of the Beginning of Shams al-Ma‘ārif al-Kubra)
The book has been banned in many Muslim countries due to its content involving rituals and texts used to summon jinn, which are in direct violation of Islamic creed and law.
Book Overview
The complete title is “Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra wa Lata’if al-‘Awarif”, though many refer to it simply as Shams al-Ma’arif. It is divided into four parts in one volume, totalling nearly 600 pages. It is attributed to Ahmad ibn ‘Ali al-Buni, a figure known among those who engage in esoteric and occult studies, including geomancy and talismanic magic.
According to Kashf al-Zunūn, a classical bibliographic reference, this book aims to explain magical practices, names of rebellious jinn, and methods of invoking them.
Content and Controversy
The book presents a strange blend of comprehensible and incomprehensible content, filled with spells, talismans, and rituals for summoning jinn. It includes formulas considered by many as spiritually dangerous. Al-Buni is known in certain circles that deal with spiritualism and geomancy, and his works have been sought after by individuals attempting to decipher occult symbols, allegedly to gain control over jinn or perform healing rituals—claims that completely contradict Islamic teachings.
Some individuals spend years trying to understand and utilise the book’s codes, even though its content is largely obscure and distorted.
Location of the Original Manuscript
The original manuscript of Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra is reportedly held at the British Library, stored in sealed archives that cannot be accessed or examined by the public.
Authenticity of the Text
Many researchers believe that most printed versions of Shams al-Ma’arif are heavily altered, with entire sections either deleted or manipulated. However, those with prior knowledge of occult symbols may recognise the errors and attempt reconstructions. Despite this, the majority of talismans and formulas are incomplete, and their original structure has been lost.
Some practitioners claim that successful decoding is still possible, but this perspective is both speculative and spiritually dangerous. The tampering with content makes it especially hazardous for any reader to engage with.
Islamic Warning: Prioritise Qur’an and Sound Knowledge
These observations are critical for anyone tempted to explore this text. It is essential to make a clear distinction between such books and authentic Islamic knowledge. A Muslim’s heart and soul are strengthened by:
- Recitation and understanding of the Qur’an, which offers true healing and spiritual guidance
- Studying the religion through sound scholarship rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah
- Avoiding occult sciences, which often lead down perilous and spiritually corrupt paths
Delving into these esoteric practices without guidance, permission, or grounding in Sharia may lead to confusion, loss of faith, and spiritual damage. Islam offers no need for such pursuits. All solutions lie in revelation, prayer, and righteous action.
We will address this topic in greater detail in a future article. For now, we advise readers to completely avoid engaging with Shams al-Ma’arif or similar works. The book is neither Islamic nor spiritually safe—it is a source of misguidance and should be avoided.
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