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A Hidden Treasure

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A Hidden Treasure

Hidden Treasure (Arabic: کنزاً مخفیاً‎‎) is a Hadith Qudsi that has a very prominent role in Islamic mysticism and Islamic philosophy.

Contents

Different translations

The most cited version of this Hadith in Arabic is: کنت کنزاً مخفیاً فأحببت أن أعرف فخلقت الخلق لکی أعرف

It has different translations in English:

  • I was a hidden Treasure I desired to be recognized so I created the creature
  • I was a hidden treasure; I loved to be known. Hence I created the world so that I would be known
  • I was a hidden treasure, and I wished to be known, so I created a creation (mankind), then made Myself known to them, and they recognised Me
  • I was a Treasure unknown then I desired to be known so I created a creation to which I made Myself known; then they knew Me

    • Sufi Cosmology

    According to Sufi cosmology, God's reason for the creation of this universe and mankind is the "manifestation" and "recognition" of Himself as it is stated in this Hadith.

    References

    A Hidden Treasure Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA