A Hidden Treasure
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The Hadith of the Hidden Treasure (Arabic: کنزاً مخفیاً) is a hadith qudsi that has a very prominent role in Islamic mysticism and Islamic philosophy.
Different translations
[edit]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 (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
[edit]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.[1]
In the Baháʼí faith
[edit]Bahá'u'lláh, 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.[2][3] In this commentary 'Abdu'l-Bahá discusses the themes "Hidden Treasure", "Love", "Creation", and "Knowledge".[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Koslowski, Peter (2001-11-30). The Concept of God, the Origin of the World, and the Image of the Human in .the World Religions. p. 99. ISBN 9781402000546.
- ^ Esslemont, J.E. (1980), Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era (5th ed.), Wilmette, Illinois: US Baháʼí Publishing Trust, p. 52, ISBN 0-87743-160-4.
- ^ "'Abdu'l-Baha's Commentary on The Islamic Tradition: "I Was a Hidden Treasure ..."". Translated by Momen, Moojan. Baha'i Studies Bulletin 3:4 (Dec. 1985), 4–35. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
- ^ Momen, Moojan (1988). Studies in the Bábí and Baháʼí Religions vol. 5, chapter: Relativism: A Basis For Baháʼí Metaphysics. Kalimat Press. pp. 185–217. ISBN 0-933770-72-3.
External links
[edit]- Sufi cosmology and psychology Archived 2010-04-14 at the Wayback Machine