The Hadith: 'Allah said, 'I was an unknown treasure, but I wanted to be known''

Q 2: African scholars taught us a Hadith which reads: "Allah said, 'I was an unknown treasure, but I wanted to be known so I created a creature from My Light and called him Muhammad. All my creatures would then know me through him 'Muhammad'". We thus referred to the Qur'an and sought guidance from the following Ayah (Qur'anic verse): (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves A: The passage which is quoted in the question is not a Hadith. It is mentioned by Al-`Ajluny in his book Kashf Al-Khafa' as reading: "I was an unknown treasure but I wanted to be known, so I created creatures and informed them of me so they knew me." Al-`Ajluny then commented that Ibn Taymiyyah said regarding this passage: "It was not said by the Prophet (peace be upon him), and it has neither Sahih (authentic) nor Da`if (weak) Sanad (chain of narrators). The same view was supported by Al-Zarkashy, Al-Hafizh Ibn Hajar, Al-Suyuty, and others. Moreover, what is mentioned in the passage to the effect that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was created from Allah's Light is not true. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was begotten by his parents just like other human beings. (Part No. 3; Page No. 268

A: The passage which is quoted in the question is not a Hadith. It is mentioned by Al-`Ajluny in his book Kashf Al-Khafa' as reading: "I was an unknown treasure but I wanted to be known, so I created creatures and informed them of me so they knew me." Al-`Ajluny then commented that Ibn Taymiyyah said regarding this passage: "It was not said by the Prophet (peace be upon him), and it has neither Sahih (authentic) nor Da`if (weak) Sanad (chain of narrators). The same view was supported by Al-Zarkashy, Al-Hafizh Ibn Hajar, Al-Suyuty, and others. Moreover, what is mentioned in the passage to the effect that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was created from Allah's Light is not true. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was begotten by his parents just like other human beings. (Part No. 3; Page No. 268) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.