Study of Two Theories on the Chosen Inheritors of the Quran A Critical Review of a Hadith: Hidden Treasure

In Islamic texts especially those of mysticism and philosophy, there is a Qudsi hadith which says: I was a hidden treasure, and I wished to be known, so I created a creation (mankind), then made Myself known to them, andthey recognized Me. This hadith has been widely found in different occasions such as philosophy of creation and etc. This hadith can be viewed through a few approaches: 1- questions concerning the content of this hadith which is answered through philosophical, theological and mystical approach; 2- its impact on theoretical mysticism and also its historical development; 3- `Ilm al-Hadith (Science of Hadith) approach that is so far there is no independent research in this regard except a few incomplete and contradicted views within some Islamic books. The last approach, not like the previous approaches which usually accept hadith, has a critical view of it. Relying on some evidences such as hadith wording, hadith document, and views of some hadith scholars, the author of the present paper concludes that it is a fabricated haith.