The manuscript has been sought after by scholars and mystics for centuries, with many attempting to decipher its cryptic language. Shams Al-Ma'arif has inspired numerous commentaries, translations, and adaptations, solidifying its position as a foundational text in Sufi literature.

Ahmad al-Buni was a Sufi scholar hailing from Bona (present-day Annaba, Algeria) during the Almohad Caliphate. He belonged to the Shadhili Sufi order, a lineage known for its emphasis on orthopraxy and "sober" mysticism. This context is crucial; al-Buni was not a fringe sorcerer but a respected theologian who sought to integrate esoteric practice with Islamic law ( Sharia ).

For centuries, the full text remained untranslated, but recent years have seen the release of several English editions:

The text is a comprehensive manual on esoteric spirituality and the "science of letters" ( Ilm al-Huroof ). Its primary contents include: