Written by Shams al-Din Ahmad al-Aflaki, 'The Virtues of the Gnostics' (Manaqib al-Arifin) is a foundational hagiographical work detailing the lives of the early Mevlevi masters. This first volume focuses extensively on the spiritual bond between Jalal al-Din Rumi and his enigmatic mentor, Shams al-Din al-Tabrizi. Through a collection of anecdotes and stories, al-Aflaki provides invaluable insights into their teachings, miracles, and the spiritual atmosphere that led to the formation of the Mevlevi Sufi order, making it an essential text for students of Sufism and Rumi's legacy.