--- page_title: "Arabic Grimoires & Islamic Occult Books in English | JFP" summary: "Arabic magic and Islamicate occult manuscripts in first complete English translations: al-Buni's Shams al-Ma'arif, Kitab al-Ajnas, the Seven Jinn Kings." html_url: https://johnfriendpublishing.com/ text_url: https://johnfriendpublishing.com/index.md revised: 2026-10-24 publisher: John Friend Publishing --- Arabic Magic, Occult & Esoteric Books in Translation # Arabic Grimoires & Islamicate Occult Manuscripts *in English Translation — for the First Time* The first complete English translations of the great Arabic grimoires of *sihr*, *ruhaniyat*, planetary magick, jinn conjuration, and Solomonic theurgy — from the same Islamicate occult tradition as *Shams al-Ma’arif*. Faithful, scholarly, unabridged. For practitioners and historians of the hidden sciences. - [Browse the Library](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/#books) - [View Series on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTJY4PQ8) - [Bookstores: order direct](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/wholesale.html) New Release ## The Al-Buni Manuscripts Collection Eight volumes of first-ever English translations from the collected works of [Ahmad ibn ‘Ali al-Buni](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/magic-book-banned-burned-al-buni.html) (d. 622 AH / ~1225 CE) — the master of Arabic letter science, divine names, and operative spirituality. **Free with Kindle Unlimited.** See the full [al-Buni book series](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/collection.html) for a volume-by-volume guide. Vol. I ![Cover of Shams al-Ma'arif al-Kubra — The Complete Sun of Divine Knowledge, al-Buni's Arabic grimoire of letter magic and lunar mansions in English translation by John Friend](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/assets/book_covers/buni_01_shams_maarif.jpg) شمس المعارف الكبرى ### [Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/shams-al-maarif-al-kubra.html) Letter Magic, Lunar Mansions, Divine Names, and the Science of Squares Attributed to Ahmad ibn ‘Ali al-Buni · Translated by John Friend · Vol. I · 818 pages · Paperback The first complete, unabridged English translation of al-Buni’s masterwork — all 40 chapters, all 4 parts, 818 pages. The book governments burned, scholars feared, and practitioners whispered about for 800 years. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $149.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/30IGj9) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/30IGj9) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/7cCq5b) - [Read Sample](https://read.amazon.com/sample/B0H2Q9RDCN?clientId=share) Vol. II ![Cover of al-Asrar al-Rabbaniyyah — The Divine Secrets, an Islamic esoteric manuscript on the Arabic letters attributed to al-Buni, English translation by John Friend](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/assets/book_covers/buni_02_asrar_rabbaniyyah.jpg) الأسرار الربانية ### [al-Asrar al-Rabbaniyyah](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/al-asrar-al-rabbaniyyah.html) On the Mysteries of the Arabic Letters, Their Spiritual Powers, and the Angelic Sciences Vol. II · 135 pages · Paperback Each Arabic letter has a spirit, an element, and a celestial correspondence. Al-Buni goes letter by letter — Alif through Tha’ — revealing what each one does. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $49.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/YTvvCR) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/YTvvCR) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/8ewphv) - [Read Sample](https://read.amazon.com/sample/B0H2QBG4PJ?clientId=share) Vol. III ![Cover of Manba' Usul al-Hikma — The Source of the Foundations of Wisdom, al-Buni's treatises on letters, numbers, invocations and oaths in English translation by John Friend](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/assets/book_covers/buni_03_manba_hikma.jpg) منبع أصول الحكمة ### [Manba’ Usul al-Hikma](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/manba-usul-al-hikma.html) Four Treatises on the Sciences of Letters, Numbers, Invocations, and Oaths Vol. III · 485 pages · Paperback Contains the legendary [Barhatiyyah oath](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/what-is-barhatiyyah-most-powerful-oath-arabic-magic.html) and Jaljalutiyyah invocation — plus the actual construction methods for Arabic magic squares (odd, even, and even-odd forms). Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $139.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/dE_YgB) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/dE_YgB) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/Dz06lR) - [Read Sample](https://read.amazon.com/sample/B0H2Q36TPK?clientId=share) Vol. IV ![Cover of Hijab 'Azim al-Sha'n wa-al-Burhan — The Mighty Talisman of Rank and Proof, an al-Buni manuscript of divine names and talismanic seals in English translation by John Friend](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/assets/book_covers/buni_04_hijab_azim.jpg) هذا حجاب عظيم الشأن والبرهان ### [Hijab ‘Azim al-Sha’n wa-al-Burhan](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/hijab-azim-al-shan.html) On the Divine Names, Protective Invocations, and Talismanic Seals Vol. IV · 49 pages · Paperback A complete protective talisman — the Seven Verses of the Protective Veils, the Supplication of Adam, and a 6×6 magic square. Meant to be carried as a physical object. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $24.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/8lyBz) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/8lyBz) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/UuVrgw) - [Read Sample](https://read.amazon.com/sample/B0H2PZXCQS?clientId=share) Vol. V ![Cover of Majmu'at al-Awrad — Collection of Litanies, Arabic prayers and protective formulas attributed to al-Buni, English translation by John Friend](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/assets/book_covers/buni_05_awrad.jpg) مجموعة الأوراد ### [Majmu’at al-Awrad](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/majmuat-al-awrad.html) Prayers, Protective Formulas, and Invocations for Every Need Vol. V · 84 pages · Paperback Not high magic — practical devotion. Prayers for difficult childbirth, plague, the evil eye, fever, and spiritual distress. 17 chapters of specific formulas from the Arabic tradition. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $24.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/hg5Ye6) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/hg5Ye6) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/f2kYu9) - [Read Sample](https://read.amazon.com/sample/B0H2QBNL9B?clientId=share) Vol. VI ![Cover of Majmu'at Thalath Rasa'il — Collection of Three Treatises by al-Shadhili, Ibn al-Mar'ah and al-Buni, English translation by John Friend](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/assets/book_covers/buni_06_thalath_rasail.jpg) مجموعة ثلاث رسائل ### [Majmu’at Thalath Rasa’il](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/majmuat-thalath-rasail.html) Kitab fi al-Tariqah, Sharh Mahasin al-Majalis, and Shifa’ al-Sudur al-Shadhili, Ibn al-Mar’ah, & al-Buni · Vol. VI · 278 pages · Paperback Three treatises by three authors — including the Kitab fi al-Tariqah attributed to al-Shadhili (founder of the Shadhiliyyah order), containing 60 gates of spiritual wayfaring. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $39.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/BIwhE4) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/BIwhE4) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/fHyVis) - [Read Sample](https://read.amazon.com/sample/B0H2QBC9R5?clientId=share) Vol. VII ![Cover of Mudih al-Tariq — The Clarifier of the Path, al-Buni on the Divine Names and spiritual wayfaring, English translation by John Friend](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/assets/book_covers/buni_07_mudih_tariq.jpg) مضيح الطريق ### [Mudih al-Tariq](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/mudih-al-tariq.html) On the Divine Names, Their Meanings, and the Stations of Spiritual Wayfaring Vol. VII · 571 pages · Paperback 80 chapters. 571 pages. Each of the Divine Names gets its own chapter — meaning, spiritual station, operative properties. This is al-Buni’s most substantial work on the Beautiful Names of God. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $149.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/Ues4Gm) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/Ues4Gm) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/mgEql4) - [Read Sample](https://read.amazon.com/sample/B0H2QBLDZF?clientId=share) Vol. VIII ![Cover of Usul 'Ilm al-Huruf — The Principles of the Science of Letters, on the letters and the rules of magic squares, attributed to al-Buni, English translation by John Friend](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/assets/book_covers/buni_08_usul_huruf.jpg) أصول علم الحروف ### [Usul ‘Ilm al-Huruf](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/usul-ilm-al-huruf.html) On the Science of Letters and the Rules Governing Magic Squares Vol. VIII · 161 pages · Paperback Al-Buni’s classification of luminous and dark letters, the spirits assigned to each, and operational instructions for attraction, love, and taking possession of intellects, souls, and hearts. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $29.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/JzkpdD) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/JzkpdD) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/FGQbhl) - [Read Sample](https://read.amazon.com/sample/B0H2Q7TPSR?clientId=share) The Library — Growing ## Arabic Islamicate Occult Manuscripts in English Translation Each volume is a first-ever complete English translation — preserving the original Arabic, scholarly transliteration, and every talismanic seal as it appears in the source manuscript. **New translations are in active production** and will join the library as they release. If you have been looking for an Arabic grimoire in English translation — the whole text rather than excerpts or a selected translation — every volume below is unabridged. Vol. I ![Cover of The Book of the Prophet Daniel — Kitab Danyal al-Nabi, an Arabic occult manuscript of prognostication in English translation by John Friend](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617pmypicXL._SY500_.jpg) كتاب دانيال النبي ### [The Book of the Prophet Daniel](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/arabic-islamicate-occult-manuscripts/the-book-of-the-prophet-daniel.html) Kitab Danyal al-Nabi Translated by John Friend · Vol. I · 113 pages · Free with Kindle Unlimited Medieval Arabic Islamic folk astronomy and divinatory literature attributed to the Prophet Daniel — zodiacal astrology, Abjad calendrical calculations, celestial prognostication, and traditional medicine. With reproduced woodcut illustrations of the twelve zodiac signs. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $9.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/tx_RDv) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/tx_RDv) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/oOqP1D) - [Hardcover](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/UhrSJd) Vol. II ![Cover of The Tested Remedies of the Monks — Mujarrabat al-Ruhban, a Christian-Arab compendium of ritual formulae in English translation](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61ZeCwgPLRL._SY500_.jpg) مجربات الرهبان ### [The Tested Remedies of the Monks](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/arabic-islamicate-occult-manuscripts/the-tested-remedies-of-the-monks.html) Mujarrabat al-Ruhban Translated by John Friend · Vol. II · 308 pages · Free with Kindle Unlimited Medieval Arabic manuscript of spiritual remedies, protective amulets, spirit invocations, and talismanic constructions attributed to Christian monks versed in the esoteric sciences. Tested formulas (mujarrabat) for love, attraction, reconciliation, and protection — Quranic talismans and number squares included. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $39.99](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/zw3MFx) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/zw3MFx) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/ZkhvEo) - [Hardcover](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/KPPM52) Vol. III ![Cover of Suns of Lights and the Great Treasures of Secrets — Shams al-Anwar wa Kunuz al-Asrar al-Kubra by Ibn al-Hajj al-Tilmsani, an Arabic grimoire of divine names, planetary magic and talismanic squares in English translation](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71oYTda2DCL._SY500_.jpg) شموس الأنوار وكنوز الأسرار الكبرى ### [Suns of Lights & the Great Treasures of Secrets](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/arabic-islamicate-occult-manuscripts/suns-of-lights-and-the-great-treasures-of-secrets.html) Shams al-Anwar wa Kunuz al-Asrar al-Kubra Ibn al-Hajj al-Tilmsani (1327 CE) · Translated by John Friend · Vol. III · 264 pages · Free with Kindle Unlimited In English for the first time in **700 years**. The 99 Beautiful Names of God (al-Asma al-Husna), magic squares (awfaq) from the 3×3 to the 9×9 planetary, the seven planetary spirits with their incenses and timing, and the science of Arabic letter magic. A foundational manual of the same Islamicate tradition as the *Shams al-Ma’arif*. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $49.99](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/uxBVGB) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/uxBVGB) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/tW71Wj) - [Hardcover](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/KDzQIn) Vol. IV ![Cover of Kitab al-Ajnas — The Solomonic Grimoire of Asif ibn Barkhiya, an Arabic occult manuscript in complete English translation](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61H5-puNA5L._SY500_.jpg) كتاب الأجناس ### [Kitab al-Ajnas: The Book of the Races](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/arabic-islamicate-occult-manuscripts/kitab-al-ajnas-the-book-of-the-races.html) The Solomonic Grimoire of Asif ibn Barkhiya Asif ibn Barkhiya · Translated by John Friend · Vol. IV · 362 pages · Free with Kindle Unlimited The first complete English translation of one of the most important Solomonic grimoires of the Arabic tradition — attributed to *Asif ibn Barkhiya*, the legendary vizier and chief minister of Prophet Sulayman (Solomon). Voces magicae preserved exactly; talismanic seals reproduced from the source. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $69.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/Vjm54K) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/Vjm54K) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/fjnitl) - [Hardcover](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/jhw7JV) Vol. V ![Cover of The Radiant Jewels for Summoning the Kings of Jinn — al-Jawahir al-Lamma'a, an Arabic grimoire of talismanic jewels in English translation](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61XwkPJixML._SY500_.jpg) الجواهر اللماعة ### [The Radiant Jewels for Summoning the Kings of Jinn](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/arabic-islamicate-occult-manuscripts/the-radiant-jewels-for-summoning-the-kings-of-jinn.html) al-Jawahir al-Lamma’a Translated by John Friend · Vol. V · 211 pages · Free with Kindle Unlimited An Arabic grimoire of *planetary hours* and *jinn-king conjuration*. Complete operational instructions for summoning the kings of jinn at the correct astrological hour and planetary correspondence — the timing science behind every working in the tradition. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $59.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/yiX_Vp) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/yiX_Vp) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/JNfEIy?jfp=pb) - [Hardcover](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/JNfEIy) Vol. VI ![Cover of Tumtum al-Hindi — The Book of Tumtum the Indian, an Arabic grimoire of stellar magic, talismans, and love spells in English translation](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Pa5dMr8iL._SY500_.jpg) طمطم الهندي ### [Tumtum al-Hindi: The Book of Tumtum the Indian](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/arabic-islamicate-occult-manuscripts/tumtum-al-hindi-the-book-of-tumtum-the-indian.html) An Arabic Grimoire of Stellar Magic, Talismans & Love Spells Tumtum al-Hindi · Translated by John Friend · Vol. VI · 298 pages · Free with Kindle Unlimited One of the most celebrated grimoires in the Arabic occult tradition — attributed to a legendary Indian sage whose esoteric knowledge entered the Islamic magical corpus. Stellar magic, talismanic operations, and the great corpus of attraction (*jalb*), excitation (*tahyij*), and love (*tahbib*). Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $49.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/kei6dT) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/kei6dT) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/5tGgW) - [Hardcover](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/cPVmFK) Vol. VII ![Cover of The Complete Magic of the Jinn Kings — Sihr Muluk al-Jann, A Manual of Conjuration for the Seven Kings of the Jinn, an Arabic grimoire in English translation](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Q6Ax8OYFL._SY500_.jpg) سحر ملوك الجن ### [The Complete Magic of the Jinn Kings](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/arabic-islamicate-occult-manuscripts/the-complete-magic-of-the-jinn-kings.html) Sihr Muluk al-Jann Translated by John Friend · Vol. VII · 241 pages · Free with Kindle Unlimited A medieval Arabic grimoire and practical manual for the conjuration of the *seven kings of the jinn* within the Solomonic tradition — specific seals, divine names, adjurations, ritual procedures, and the behavioral and purification protocols required of the practitioner. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $49.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/5ymgv) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/5ymgv) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/twpzk) - [Hardcover](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/bR297Q) Vol. VIII ![Cover of Wisdom of the Ages and Secret of the Sages — 'Uyun al-Haqa'iq wa-Idah al-Tara'iq by Abu al-Qasim al-'Iraqi, an Arabic handbook of natural magic in English translation](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61766nDgsQL._SY500_.jpg) عيون الحقائق وإيضاح الطرائق ### [Wisdom of the Ages and Secret of the Sages](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/arabic-islamicate-occult-manuscripts/wisdom-of-the-ages-and-secret-of-the-sages.html) 'Uyun al-Haqa'iq wa-Idah al-Tara'iq Translated by John Friend · Vol. VIII · 327 pages · Free with Kindle Unlimited A thirteenth-century Arabic handbook of natural magic and marvels attributed to Abu al-Qasim al-'Iraqi — the *nawamis* behind every marvel, incenses and fumigations, *niranjat*, the stage marvels of the medieval Islamic world, the methods of the deceivers of his age, and the properties of plants, animals, stones and minerals. Formats: - [Buy on Amazon — Kindle $49.95](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/GvTC02) - [Kindle](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/GvTC02) - [Paperback](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/C54hKY) - [Hardcover](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/MQaNgP) In Translation المخطوطات الآتية ### More Translations in Production al-Makhtutat al-Atiya Forthcoming · Subscribe to the Author Page Additional Arabic occult manuscripts are in active translation — further volumes of *sihr*, *ruhaniyat*, planetary magick, and Solomonic theurgy. Follow on Amazon to receive new-release notifications the moment they publish. - [Follow Author on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/John-Friend/e/B0GTC7X52V) - [View Series](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTJY4PQ8) - [Inquire](mailto:hello@johnfriendpublishing.com) Stockists ## Our books are stocked by these amazing bookstores - [Dancing Moon Books & Gifts](https://www.dancingmoonraleigh.com) (Raleigh, NC) - [Splendor Solis Booksellers](https://www.splendorsolisbooks.com) (Northampton, MA) - [The Sword & Rose](https://www.theswordandrose.net) (San Francisco, CA) - [Passages Bookshop](https://www.passagesbookshop.com) (Portland, OR) ### Bookstores & retailers: order direct from the publisher Stock the first English translations of the Arabic grimoire tradition. Trade orders come straight to the press, at 45% of the US list price: tell us what you would like to carry and we will reply with availability and shipping. [Email to order wholesale]() [Trade list & wholesale details](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/wholesale.html) The Hidden Tradition ## The Sciences of Sihr, Ruhaniyat & Theurgy The books on this list cover four Arabic occult sciences: sihr, ruhaniyat, awfaq and the divine names. Each title is translated from the Arabic and appears here in English for the first time. ### Sihr — Arabic Magic The operative magical sciences of the Islamicate world — from the talismanic and astral magic of al-Buni and al-Tilmsani to the practical conjurations preserved in manuscript across the Maghrib and Mashriq. The [essays on Arabic magic](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/) take the manuscripts one at a time. ### Ruhaniyat — Spiritual Science The science of the *ruhaniya* — the planetary and stellar spirits, the angels of the divine names, and the kings of the jinn — together with the protocols for their licit conjuration. ### Awfaq — Magic Squares The construction of *awfaq*, magic squares from the 3×3 to the 9×9 planetary, and their application as talismans tuned to specific divine names, planetary spirits, and operational ends. ### al-Asma al-Husna — 99 Names of God The 99 Beautiful Names of God examined for spiritual properties, numerical (Abjad) value, planetary correspondence, and talismanic application — the engine of Islamic letter magic. Lineage of the Tradition ## From al-Buni to the Picatrix — the Hidden Genealogy The Arabic occult corpus is the unseen root of nearly every Western grimoire. Here is where these volumes sit in that lineage — and what readers of the *Picatrix*, the *Lesser Key of Solomon*, or *Shams al-Ma’arif* will recognize. ### al-Buni & Shams al-Ma’arif — The Foundational Corpus The [*Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra*](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/shams-al-maarif-al-kubra.html) is attributed to *Ahmad ibn Ali al-Buni* (d. 1225 CE); its first unabridged English translation is Volume I of the Al-Buni Manuscripts Collection. Our volume [Shams al-Anwar wa Kunuz al-Asrar al-Kubra](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/#books) by Ibn al-Hajj al-Tilmsani (1327 CE) belongs to the same operational lineage: divine names, magic squares, planetary spirits, letter mysticism (*ilm al-huruf*) — the engine al-Buni systematized. ### Picatrix & Ghayat al-Hakim — The Arabic Original The famous Latin *Picatrix* is itself a translation of the 11th-century Arabic *Ghayat al-Hakim*. Astrological talismans, planetary hours, conjuration of the spirits of the spheres — all the operational machinery in our volume [al-Jawahir al-Lamma’a](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/#books) draws from this same astral-magic stratum, in the language it was actually composed in. ### Solomonic & Goetic Magic — The Eastern Source of the Lemegeton The *Lesser Key of Solomon*, the *Goetia*, and the entire Solomonic cycle of Western ceremonial magic descend from Arabic and Hebrew prototypes. Our [Kitab al-Ajnas of Asif ibn Barkhiya](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/#books) — vizier to the Prophet Sulayman — and our [Sihr Muluk al-Jann](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/#books) are the Arabic Solomonic source-tradition, naming the same kings of spirits as their Latin and Greek descendants. ### Western Esotericism — The Crossroads Hermeticism, ceremonial magick, theurgy, witchcraft — the operative side of the Western mystery tradition has Arabic fingerprints throughout. These translations close the gap, giving English readers direct access to the Arabic source-texts that European occultism drew on. A Guide to the Library ## Islamic Occult Books & Arabic Magic — What the Manuscripts Contain Every title here comes from the Arabic manuscript tradition and circulated for centuries in handwritten form before reaching English — from Islamic occult manuscripts of talismans, magic squares, and spirits to Islamic esoteric manuscripts of prayer and the divine names. Here is what these occult manuscripts actually teach, and which volumes answer the questions readers most often bring to them. ### Islamicate — A Shared Arabic Culture *Islamicate* names the wider culture shaped by Islam, not the religion alone — which is why the library sets *The Tested Remedies of the Monks*, a Christian-Arab compilation, beside al-Buni and the Solomonic grimoire of Asif ibn Barkhiya. Every Islamic occult manuscript here survives in Arabic and is translated directly from the Arabic. ### Letters, Numbers & Squares — The Engine of Arabic Magic Much of Arabic magic runs on the science of letters, [*ilm al-huruf*](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/usul-ilm-al-huruf.html), which gives each Arabic letter a number, an element, and a spirit, and on the [*awfaq*](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/arabic-magic-squares-not-what-you-think.html), the magic squares that turn those numbers into talismans. Al-Buni’s *Usul ‘Ilm al-Huruf* divides the alphabet into luminous and dark letters; his *Manba’ Usul al-Hikma* gives the construction methods for odd, even, and even-odd squares. ### Kings of the Jinn — Muluk al-Jinn Several Arabic grimoires in the library deal with the seven jinn kings. *The Complete Magic of the Jinn Kings* is a manual devoted to them; *Kitab al-Ajnas* gives invocations and a seal over all seven kings; and *The Radiant Jewels* ranks the seven kings as the greatest of the jinn, each tied to one of the seven days and one of the seven planets. That book’s order for summoning them is set out in [how to summon a jinn: the seven kings of the jinn](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/how-to-summon-seven-kings-of-jinn.html). Their names, and how they differ from the Western *Goetia*, are given in [the real Arabic jinn names of the seven kings](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/real-names-seven-jinn-kings-goetia-wrong.html). ### Spiritual Science or Sorcery? — Ruhaniyat & Sihr Islamic magic books are often filed under “black magic.” The manuscripts draw their own line, between *ruhaniyat*, the lawful science of spirits approached through prayer, fasting, and purity, and *sihr*, sorcery — and *The Complete Magic of the Jinn Kings* even includes a rite for the nullification of sorcery and magical bindings. Our essay on [spiritual science, sorcery, and black magic in the Arabic sources](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/difference-between-spiritual-science-sorcery-arabic.html) shows where that line falls. From the Library ## Featured Essays - [What is the Shams al-Ma’arif? A Reader’s Guide to the Sun of Knowledge →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/what-is-shams-al-maarif.html) - [Ghayat al-Hakim: The Arabic Original of the Picatrix →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/picatrix-ghayat-al-hakim-arabic-original.html) - [Solomonic Magic in the Islamic Tradition →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/solomonic-magic-islamic-tradition-asif-ibn-barkhiya.html) - [How to Summon a Jinn: The Seven Kings of the Jinn →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/how-to-summon-seven-kings-of-jinn.html) - [What the Goetia Got Wrong: The Real Source of Solomonic Demonology →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/goetia-arabic-source-solomonic-demonology.html) - [View all 59 essays →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/) Deeper Reading ## More Essays on the Arabic Occult Tradition ### Shams al-Ma’arif & al-Buni - [The Magic Book That Got Its Author Banned and Burned →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/magic-book-banned-burned-al-buni.html) ### Kitab Danyal al-Nabi - [How the Prophet Daniel Manuscript Predicted Earthquakes by Zodiac →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/daniel-manuscript-predicts-earthquakes-zodiac.html) - [Zodiac Signs in Arabic and English →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/your-zodiac-sign-medieval-arabic-prophet-daniel.html) ### Mujarrabat al-Ruhban - [The Christian Monks Who Practiced Arabic Magic →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/christian-monks-arabic-magic-mujarrabat-ruhban.html) - [Medieval Arabic Love Spells Credited to Christian Monks →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/mujarrabat-tested-love-spells-medieval-arabic.html) - [The Syncretic Grimoire: Quranic Magic With the Gospel →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/mujarrabat-ruhban-christian-islamic-syncretic-grimoire.html) - [The Christian-Islamic Magical Manuscript That Should Not Exist →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/christian-islamic-syncretic-arabic-grimoire.html) ### Shams al-Anwar - [A Magic Square for Each Weekday →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/shams-al-anwar-magic-squares-planetary-days.html) - [The Forgotten Grimoire That Completed al-Buni’s Shams al-Ma’arif →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/shams-anwar-lost-sequel-shams-al-maarif.html) - [The 1327 CE Manuscript With a Magic Square for Every Day →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/shams-anwar-magic-square-every-day-week.html) ### Kitab al-Ajnas & the Solomonic Tradition - [Asif bin Barkhiya in the Quran: Solomon’s Vizier →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/solomons-vizier-asif-ibn-barkhiya-throne-bilqis.html) - [Kitab al-Ajnas: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/asif-barkhiya-grimoire-readers-walkthrough.html) - [Arabic Solomonic Magic vs. the Goetia: Seven Differences →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/arabic-solomonic-vs-western-goetia-names-of-power.html) ### al-Jawahir al-Lamma’a - [Planetary Hours for Jinn Summoning →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/right-hour-summon-each-king-jinn-jawahir-lammaa.html) - [Al-Ahmar, the Red King of Jinn: The Adjuration That Commands Him →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/adjuration-red-king-al-ahmar-jinn.html) - [Medieval Arabs Read the Stars to Compel Spirits →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/medieval-arab-stellar-magic-picatrix-borrowed-from.html) ### Tumtum al-Hindi - [The Indian Sage Whose Magic Book Survived 1000 Years →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/tumtum-al-hindi-indian-sage-arabic-magic.html) - [Tumtum al-Hindi’s Arabic Love-Spell Manual →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/arabic-love-spells-tumtum-al-hindi-indian-sage.html) - [The 28 Lunar Mansions in Arabic Magic →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/28-lunar-mansions-arabic-magic-manazil-al-qamar.html) ### Sihr Muluk al-Jann - [Seven Magic Squares for Seven Jinn Kings →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/7-magic-squares-7-jinn-kings-operational-geometry.html) - [Essays on Islamic occultism & Arabic magic →](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/) Common Questions ## About the Translations & Arabic Occult Books ### What is John Friend Publishing? John Friend Publishing is a press devoted to first complete English translations of Arabic occult manuscripts. It publishes two book series — the Al-Buni Manuscripts Collection (eight volumes) and *Arabic Islamicate Occult Manuscripts in Translation* (eight volumes) — with more translations in production. Every volume is translated from the Arabic by John Friend and is available on Amazon in Kindle and print editions. ### What is the Arabic Islamicate Occult Manuscripts series? It is an **ongoing series** of first-ever complete English translations of medieval Arabic grimoires — currently including the *Kitab Danyal al-Nabi*, *Mujarrabat al-Ruhban*, *Shams al-Anwar wa Kunuz al-Asrar al-Kubra*, *Kitab al-Ajnas* of Asif ibn Barkhiya, *al-Jawahir al-Lamma’a*, *Tumtum al-Hindi*, and *Sihr Muluk al-Jann* — translated and published by John Friend Publishing. Additional volumes are in active translation. ### Is Shams al-Anwar related to Shams al-Ma’arif? Yes — both belong to the same Islamicate occult tradition centered on the Names of God, planetary magick, magic squares (*awfaq*), and letter magic. *Shams al-Anwar wa Kunuz al-Asrar al-Kubra* by Ibn al-Hajj al-Tilmsani (1327 CE) is a foundational seven-century-old grimoire of the same lineage as the *Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra* attributed to al-Buni. ### Are these translations academic or for practitioners? Both. Each volume preserves the original Arabic alongside scholarly IJMES transliteration and faithful English translation. Talismanic seals, magic squares, and voces magicae are reproduced exactly from the source manuscripts. Intended for scholars, historians of religion, and serious students of the Western and Islamic esoteric traditions. ### Where can I buy these books? All currently published volumes are available on Amazon as Kindle eBooks (free to read with Kindle Unlimited), and all are also in paperback; the eight volumes of the Arabic Islamicate Occult Manuscripts series are in hardcover too. New translations join the library as they release. Direct buy links for each title are above in the Library section. Bookstores can [order print copies directly from the publisher](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/wholesale.html) — see the wholesale question below. ### How does this relate to al-Buni and the *Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra*? The *Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra*, attributed to *Ahmad ibn Ali al-Buni* (d. 622 AH / 1225 CE), systematized the science of divine names, magic squares (*awfaq*), planetary spirits, and letter mysticism (*ilm al-huruf*). Our volume *Shams al-Anwar wa Kunuz al-Asrar al-Kubra* by Ibn al-Hajj al-Tilmsani (1327 CE) is from the same operational lineage and uses the same machinery — making it a direct doorway for any reader interested in al-Buni’s tradition. The [*Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra*](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/books/al-buni-manuscripts-collection/shams-al-maarif-al-kubra.html) itself is now available in complete English translation — all 40 chapters — as Vol. I of the [Al-Buni Manuscripts Collection](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/#al-buni), alongside seven further volumes. ### Is this related to the *Picatrix* or *Ghayat al-Hakim*? Yes. The Latin *Picatrix* is a translation of the 11th-century Arabic *Ghayat al-Hakim*, and the same astral-magic, planetary-hour, and talismanic operational logic runs through the Arabic occult tradition. Our *al-Jawahir al-Lamma’a* (planetary hours and jinn-king conjuration) and our *Shams al-Anwar* (planetary spirits and magic squares) sit squarely in that same astrological-magic stratum — in the original language. For what the Arabic *Ghayat al Hakim* itself contains, see our essay [Ghayat al-Hakim: The Arabic Original of the Picatrix](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/picatrix-ghayat-al-hakim-arabic-original.html). ### Is this useful for readers of the *Lesser Key of Solomon* / *Goetia*? The Solomonic cycle of Western ceremonial magic descends in part from Arabic and Hebrew prototypes that name the same kings of spirits and use the same conjuration logic. Our *Kitab al-Ajnas* of Asif ibn Barkhiya (vizier to the Prophet Sulayman) and our *Sihr Muluk al-Jann* ("Magic of the Jinn Kings") are the Arabic Solomonic source-stream that the *Lemegeton* and *Goetia* grew from. ### Do the books include the original Arabic and seals? Yes. Prayers, invocations, divine names, and Quranic passages are presented in three layers: English translation, IJMES romanized transliteration, and the original Arabic script. Talismanic squares, geometric seals, and ciphers are reproduced as images from the source manuscripts to preserve their ritual integrity. ### What are Arabic grimoires? Arabic grimoires are handbooks of the occult sciences written in Arabic: manuals of talismans, magic squares (*awfaq*), the science of letters (*ilm al-huruf*), the divine names, planetary timing, and the conjuration of spirits and jinn kings. Most circulated for centuries as handwritten manuscripts rather than printed books. The fifteen volumes in this library are Arabic grimoires and related devotional and Sufi texts, each in complete English translation. ### Are these real grimoires or modern spell books? They are historical texts of the Arabic occult sciences, not modern spell books. Each volume is translated from the Arabic itself — the *Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra*, for example, from the 1927 printed Arabic edition — and nothing is abridged. ### Where can I find Islamic occultism books in English? The library on this page brings together sixteen Islamic occultism books in complete English translation, from al-Buni’s *Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra* to *Kitab al-Ajnas* and *The Complete Magic of the Jinn Kings*. All are sold on Amazon, and the Kindle editions can be read free with Kindle Unlimited. For background, the [essay archive on Islamic occultism](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/) covers the tradition in depth, and our guide to [Islamic occultism books in English](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/arabic-occult-manuscripts-in-english-complete-guide.html) notes what other publishers have translated. ### Which Islamic magic books should I read first? Start with your subject. For letter magic, lunar mansions, and the divine names, begin with *Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra*; for Solomonic magic, *Kitab al-Ajnas*; for the jinn kings, *The Complete Magic of the Jinn Kings* and *The Radiant Jewels*; for astrology and prognostication, *The Book of the Prophet Daniel*; for protective prayers, *Majmu’at al-Awrad*. Readers new to occult books may find the 818-page *Shams al-Ma’arif* easier after a shorter volume; our guide to [every Arabic occult manuscript in English](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/articles/arabic-occult-manuscripts-in-english-complete-guide.html) names three entry points and maps the wider field. ### Can bookstores order these books wholesale? Yes. Bookstores and occult, esoteric, and metaphysical shops can [order print editions directly from the publisher](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/wholesale.html). Send wholesale inquiries to [hello@johnfriendpublishing.com](mailto:hello@johnfriendpublishing.com) with your store name and the titles you would like to stock. Direct Contact ## Inquiries, Wholesale & Manuscripts For private inquiries, manuscript submissions, and rights requests — reach the press directly. Bookstores and occult, esoteric, and metaphysical shops: [print editions are available directly from the press](https://johnfriendpublishing.com/wholesale.html). Email wholesale inquiries with your store name and the titles you would like to stock. [hello@johnfriendpublishing.com](mailto:hello@johnfriendpublishing.com)