A Hidden Treasure


The Hadith of the Hidden Treasure is a hadith qudsi that has a very prominent role in Islamic mysticism and Islamic philosophy.

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 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, 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.

Ghulat usage

In extreme forms of Shi'a Islam, this has been cited as to justify that Ali and Muhammad are the manifestations of Allah.

In the Baháʼí faith

, founder of the Baháʼí faith, requested his son `Abdu'l-Bahá, who later became his successor, to write a commentary on the hadith of the Hidden Treasure for a Súfí leader named `Alí Shawkat Páshá. In this commentary 'Abdu'l-Bahá discusses the themes "Hidden Treasure", "Love", "Creation", and "Knowledge".