Manaqib al-Arifin: Volume One

"Manaqib al-Arifin" (The Feats of the Knowers of God - Part 1) by Shams al-Din Ahmad al-Aflaki stands as the definitive primary source for the lives and legacies of Jalal al-Din Rumi, his spiritual mentor Shams Tabrizi, and the early masters of the Mevlevi Sufi order. Written by a dedicated Mevlevi disciple in the 14th century, this foundational work compiles biographical accounts, spiritual discourses, miraculous deeds, and historical anecdotes. Part 1 delves deeply into the cultural and spiritual milieu of 13th-century Konya, illuminating the transformative, mystic dynamic between Rumi and Shams. Rich in mystical wisdom, historical context, and primary testimonies, Aflaki's masterpiece is an essential reference for scholars, Sufi practitioners, and any reader seeking an authentic understanding of Rumi's life and the roots of the Whirling Dervish tradition.

Because it is the most authoritative primary historical chronicle detailing the authentic lives, sayings, and spiritual journeys of Rumi and Shams Tabrizi.

For scholars of Islamic mysticism and Persian literature, devoted readers of Rumi, and anyone interested in primary historical texts on Sufism and the Mevlevi order.