Kashf Al-Mohjub: Nicholson's introduction to the EnglishTranslation

The first part of this paper is the translation of Nicholson's introduction to Kashf Al- Mahjub. This includes Hojviri's biography and his lost works. Then it discusses Hojviri's great work, "Kashf-Al-Mahjub" in detail, referring to his references such as Al-Lom of Sarräj and Risale-i Qosheyriyyih and to some of his manuscripts as well. About the Exceptional part fourteen of the book, Nicholson says that it is the first place to categorizes sufi orders into twelve sects. Only one sect and explains an the most important principles of belief of every one. Malamatieh, is taken from his previous works. The question is whether such sects really existed or they were made up by Hojviri.