Idries Shah, also known as Idris Shah, was a prominent author and thinker in the Sufi tradition. He wrote over three dozen critically acclaimed books on diverse topics such as psychology, spirituality, travelogues, and cultural studies.

Born on June 16, 1924, in British India, Shah was a descendant of a family of Afghan nobles on his father's side and a Scottish mother. He primarily grew up in England. His early writings focused on subjects like magic and witchcraft. In 1960, Shah founded Octagon Press, where he produced translations of Sufi classics along with his own works. The Sufis, his seminal work, was released in 1964 and received international acclaim.

In 1965, Shah established the Institute for Cultural Research in London, an educational charity dedicated to studying human behavior and culture. A similar organization, the Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge (ISHK), was founded in the U.S. under Stanford University's psychology professor Robert Ornstein, whom Shah appointed as his deputy.

Shah presented Sufism as a universal form of wisdom predating Islam. He emphasized its dynamic nature, adaptable to current times and contexts. His works often included traditional teaching stories and parables, which had multiple layers of meaning designed to trigger insight and self-reflection in readers. Shah is perhaps best known for his collections of humorous Mulla Nasrudin stories.

Despite facing criticism from orientalists questioning his credentials, Shah was defended by many notable figures, including novelist Doris Lessing. He became a recognized spokesman for Sufism in the West, lecturing as a visiting professor at various universities. His works played a significant role in presenting Sufism as spiritual wisdom approachable by individuals, independent of any specific religion.