The book exists in a "liminal space" between Sufi mysticism and forbidden sorcery ( sihr ).
The full title, Shams al-Ma'arif wa Lata'if al-'Awarif (The Sun of Knowledge and the Subtleties of Gnosis), distinguishes it as a work of ( ma'rifah )—experiential mystical knowledge—rather than just academic study. It is a massive compilation that covers:
In countries with strict interpretations of Islamic law, such as Saudi Arabia, possession of the book is often illegal . Historical Significance and Authorship