The Ruling on the Report “كنت كنزا لا أعرف” and the Opinions of the Hadith Scholars
Source: Fatawa ʿUlama-e-Hadith, Vol. 9
❖ Question
The narration states:
"كنت كنزا لا أعرف، فأحببت أن أعرف، فخلقت خلقا فعرّفتهم بي، فبي عرفوني"
"I was a hidden treasure, then I loved to be known, so I created creation; through Me they recognized Me."
Is this a Sahih Hadith?
❖ Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
This narration is mentioned by Imam al-ʿAjluni in Kashf al-Khafaʾ (2/132). The opinions of the scholars regarding it are as follows:
◈ Statement of Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله
He said:
"هذا ليس من كلام النبيّ صلّى الله عليه وسلم، ولا أعرف له إسنادا صحيحا ولا ضعيفا."
(al-Fatawa al-Kubra 5/88, Majmuʿ al-Fatawa 18/122)
"This is not from the words of the Prophet ﷺ. I do not know of any isnād for it—neither sahih nor da‘if."
◈ Statement of Imam al-ʿAjluni رحمه الله
After quoting this narration, he reported that Hafiz Ibn Hajar, Imam al-Zarkashi, and Imam al-Suyuti رحمهُم الله also held the same opinion.
(Kashf al-Khafaʾ 2/132)
◈ Statement of al-Albani رحمه الله
He declared:
"لا أصل له"
(al-Silsilah al-Da‘ifah 1/166)
"It has no basis."
◈ Conclusion
This narration cannot be attributed to the Prophet ﷺ. There exists no authentic (sahih) or weak (da‘if) chain of transmission for it. Therefore, it is not a Hadith.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
