Shams al-Maʿārif al-Kubrā

What this book is

In roughly 1200, a scholar hailing from Annaba, in present-day Algeria, began recording a practice that had previously been handed down orally from one teacher to another. He itemised the twenty-eight letters of the Arabic alphabet, assigning to each its numerical value, its associated element and its corresponding planet. He also listed the ninety-nine Names of God, along with the attributes linked to each one. Additionally, he described how to construct the numerically balanced squares known as awfāq, and explained the purposes that, according to tradition, these grids were meant to serve.

Its influence went beyond that of nearly any similar publication. Manuscripts found their way into library collections at the Ottoman court, into Sufi lodges across West Africa, into the Mughal courts of India and into the brotherhoods of the Maghrib. For eight centuries it was quoted, challenged and transcribed by hand.

The work has also faced criticism. Al-Azhar in Cairo has on several occasions declared it a guide to siḥr, or prohibited magic. It features on banned registers in a number of countries. That background is genuine and contributes to the text's significance, yet it is not the reason for our publication. We brought it out because a piece of writing with such reach ought to be available in complete English translation to any reader who wishes to consult it.

What is in these 1,465 pages

First volume: the science of letters. Every one of the twenty-eight Arabic letters is matched with its numerical equivalent, its element and its planetary link, presenting al-Būnī's argument in full rather than in condensed form.

Second volume, on the squares. The awfāq are numerically balanced grids, starting with the basic three-by-three and rising in complexity, along with the methods used to build them. In this version they appear as legible diagrams that can be followed and reproduced.

Third volume: the Names of God. The ninety-nine Names, their numerical values, and the attributes that tradition ascribes to each one.

Volume four, the practical content. The spells and rituals that gave the book its reputation, rendered completely and without censorship, with commentary on differences between manuscript copies.

Also included are a translator's preface detailing al-Būnī's biography, the textual history of the recensions, and the connection between the expanded edition and his likely original work, together with a glossary defining all specialist vocabulary.

Honest answers to the awkward questions

Are the magic squares actually in it?

Yes, reproduced as diagrams. This point is significant, and we state it without reservation because the initial release of this publication omitted them, and a reviewer was quick to highlight the oversight. He was correct. The squares constitute the central object of this study, and a rendering that merely discusses them cannot be considered complete. They are now included.

How was the translation made?

Our full approach is explained on the about page, covering where automated tools were used and the level of human oversight applied. We prefer to be transparent before you make a purchase, rather than leave you to discover the details later.

Will it work?

This book is presented purely as a translation of a historical document. We make no assertion, whether explicit or implied, that any practice described within it leads to a physical outcome. Any decision to act on its contents rests entirely with you, and we offer no guarantee of a result, as none exists.

Is it legal where I live?

In most countries, it is allowed. However, in certain states the work is either limited or banned, and border officials there could confiscate a printed version. We are unable to offer guidance on the legislation that applies where you live, and we will not send the book to places where we are aware it is prohibited. The electronic version sidesteps any issue with customs altogether.

Does this edition improve on the other English-language versions?

To be clear, yes, and that is the sole assertion we make. For academic reference material, one of the alternative editions is superior, and we identify it on the comparison page. Choosing the appropriate volume is more important to us than choosing our own.

Do I need to read Arabic?

No. Technical terminology is presented in transliterated form alongside a glossary. When a term truly cannot be rendered into English without a loss of meaning, we retain the transliteration and provide an explanation, rather than simplifying it.

Whoever acquires this book must not place it in unworthy hands. Aḥmad ibn ʿAlī al-Būnī