Virtues of the Gnostics 1

In explaining the conditions of our master Jalaluddin Rumi

Author's name: Shams al-Din Ahmad al-Aflaki al-Arifi

Shams al-Din Ahmad al-Aflaki al-Arifi, in the year 718 AH, wrote his book “Manaqib al-Arifin” in response to the desire of his Sheikh Shalabi Faridun bin Baha’ al-Din Muhammad bin Jalal al-Din Muhammad al-Mawlawi, known as Amir Arif or Shalabi Arif, who advised him to prepare a book on the virtues of his fathers, grandfathers and successors among the Mawlawis, and encouraged him to do so. Shams al-Din investigated the news from the most prominent free men, and began to collect stories from trustworthy narrators and pious upright people. He was keen to ponder them, reassured of their accuracy, and confirmed their authenticity. He prepared his book on the virtues of the Mawlawi Gnostics. The book includes an explanation of the circumstances of our Master Jalal al-Din, his father Baha’ al-Din al-Walad, his Sheikh Burhan al-Din Muhaqqiq al-Tirmidhi, his mentor Shams al-Din al-Tabrizi, his disciples and successors, his sons and grandsons. It also includes the famous sayings about them, the news related to them, and after that, a record full of the narrated stories. About them and the miracles attributed to them. Through the book, one can learn about the system of life in the Mawlawi lodge, the nature of the relationship between the sheikh and his disciples, the sheikh's method of disciplining his disciples, the foundations of the Mawlawi order, its principles, etiquette, and rituals, as well as the related spiritual exercises, struggles, invocations, and remembrances. The book also describes the study and preaching gatherings, the listening sessions, and what took place in them, and mentions some of the names of the singers and qawwalis. The book also clarifies the relationship of the Sufis with the princes of the time, the notables, and the leaders of the country, and sheds light on their connection to the various sects of society and their treatment of women. The book covers some historical events and incidents that occurred in the seventh and eighth centuries AH in Asia Minor, which may not have been mentioned in other works. The book is considered one of the authentic and reliable books that specializes in explaining the conditions of the Mawlawi sheikhs and their followers, and their miracles. It also enjoys literary, historical, and archaeological importance.