Download
Ez-ISO v2 for Windows
Written in the 13th century by the Egyptian Sufi scholar Ahmad al-Buni, the Shams Al-Maarif is not merely a book of magic; it is an encyclopedic compendium of astrology, numerology, talismanic magic, spirit evocation, and Quranic esotericism (Ilm al-Huroof—the science of letters).
In essence, the Shams al-Ma'arif presents a holistic Islamicate magical worldview. It offers a complete system that ranges from complex spiritual cosmology to practical, "low magic" formulae, making it a uniquely powerful and popular text in the Arab and Muslim worlds for centuries.
Some academic researchers have translated parts of al-Buni’s work, but these are focused on sociological analysis rather than practical application. What’s Inside the Book (Themes and Topics)
University presses have published studies on al-Buni’s work. Look for:
Numerous independent occultists and linguists have translated specific chapters, magic squares, or talismanic instructions from the text. These are frequently compiled into community-made PDFs shared across esoteric subreddits, Discord servers, and archive sites. While useful for casual reading, these PDFs vary wildly in quality and accuracy. Tips for Finding and Reading a Shams al-Maarif PDF Safely Shams Al-maarif English Translation Pdf
While there isn't a direct PDF translation of Shams Al-Ma'arif in English, there are some translations and interpretations available:
The (The Sun of Knowledge) is arguably the most infamous and feared grimoire in the history of the Islamicate world. Written in the 13th century and traditionally attributed to the Algerian Sufi scholar Ahmad ibn ’Ali al-Buni , this massive compendium blends Islamic mysticism, numerology, astrology, and spirit work into a single text. For centuries, copies were passed around in secret, hidden away due to strict bans by orthodox religious authorities who viewed it as dangerous sorcery.
The Shams al-Ma'arif is a dense encyclopedia of esoteric sciences. Modern editions are typically divided into two volumes: the larger al-Kubra and the smaller al-Sughra .
The importance of astrology and specific times of day/year for practicing magic. How to Approach the Material Safely Written in the 13th century by the Egyptian
: In recent years, scholars like Amina Inloes and J.M. Hamade released Shams al-Ma'arif: The Sun of Knowledge , the first substantial English translation that provides the necessary cultural and historical context.
Section C — Terminology & Concepts (20 marks)
For those looking for historical context rather than a practical manual, the academic work of Dr. Noah Gardiner is indispensable. His doctoral thesis and subsequent papers on Ahmad al-Buni provide deep insights into how the text was written, its political impact in the Mamluk sultanate, and how it evolved from a Sufi manual into a feared grimoire. The Dark Legend: Is the Book Dangerous?
While a full, academic translation of the entire multi-volume Shams al-Maarif al-Kubra remains a massive undertaking that has not yet been fully realized by a major university press, significant breakthroughs have been made in recent years. Detailed instructions on how planetary alignments
For English-speaking researchers and practitioners, accessing the Shams al-Ma'arif has been a long and difficult journey. Here is the current landscape of available English translations.
Rating: ★★★★☆ The Good:
Utilizing planetary alignments for spiritual empowerment.
Detailed instructions on how planetary alignments, lunar mansions, and zodiac signs affect earthly magic.