About the author
The author, Najm al-Din Razi (d. 654/1256), was an initiate of the Kubravi order. Fleeing from the Mongol invasion of Iran, he sought refuge in Anatolia, and it was there, is about 620/1223, that he completed this, his masterpiece. Written in an elegant Persian, the work enjoyed great popularity wherever the Persian language has been cultivated - Turkey, India, and Central Asia, we well as Iran. The existence of Turkish and Chinese translations also testifies to its broad influence.