Nothing is mentioned in Al Qur'an, specially about the arrogant people and civilizations which faced the Divine wrath and perished - leaving behind ruins of their mighty building as traces of their might and punishment. Arrogance and false pride often results in destruction or deprivation when in stead of being thankful to one's Creator, one boasts of achievements or wealth so amassed to one's own efforts rather than a Divine blessing.
We find ruins of fallen empires scattered in deserts and wilderness showcasing their hollowness, robbed of their galore and might, due to their thankfulness - the ruins of mighty Roman Empire, 'Ad and Thamud, the Nabataean city of Petra (rose-red carved city) and well-preserved Roman cities such as Jerash (the "Pompeii of the East") and Umm Qais, plus Islamic Desert Castles like Qasr Amra (famous frescoes) and Qasr Kharana. But not seen among these are the individuals who also wielded their authority over the meek and the oppressed. But their mentioned is preserved in the Divine Scriptures and history books as a reminder for the coming generations to be humble and thankful rather than continuing their arrogance and be humbled to.
One of such persons mentioned in Al Qur'an is a person named Qārūn / Kārūn whom Allah blessed with immense wealth, yet he became arrogant and an oppressor rather than exhibiting humility and gratefulness. When he continued with his arrogance and thankfulness, he along with his entire wealth was engulfed in the desert sand, vanished forever but still being mentioned in history books and Al Qur'an too as a warning and caution for those who are thankless and arrogant. Mention of Qārūn / Kārūn as "Korah" (Hebrew: קֹרַח Qōraḥ, son of Izhar, is an individual appears in the Biblical Book of Numbers of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible).
Verses 76-83 of Surah Al Qasas in Al Qur'an mentions Qārūn briefly with the intent of telling the coming generations about this man who wielded power because of his immense wealth but was finally punished for his thankfulness.
Let us share the 76th verse from Surah 28. Al Qasas about the fate of this wealthy yet thankless man:
The Verse
اِنَّ قَارُوۡنَ كَانَ مِنۡ قَوۡمِ مُوۡسٰى فَبَغٰى عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَاٰتَيۡنٰهُ مِنَ الۡكُنُوۡزِ مَاۤ اِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهٗ لَـتَـنُوۡٓاُ بِالۡعُصۡبَةِ اُولِى الۡقُوَّةِ اِذۡ قَالَ لَهٗ قَوۡمُهٗ لَا تَفۡرَحۡ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الۡفَرِحِيۡنَ
“Indeed, Qārūn was from the people of Mūsā, but he transgressed against them. We had given him such treasures that their keys would burden a group of strong men. When his people said to him, ‘Do not exult; indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.’” (Qur’an 28:76)
Who was Qārūn (Kārūn)? — Context
As mentioned in Al Qur'an, Qārūn was a first cousin of the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him). According to the account of descent given in Exodus, the fathers of the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and Korah were real brothers. At another place in the Quran it has been stated that this man had joined with Pharaoh in spite of being an Israelite and become one of his favorites; so much so that one of the two ring leaders of opposition to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) after Pharaoh was this same Korah: “We sent Moses to Pharaoh and Haman and Korah with Our signs and a clear authority of appointment, but they said: He is a sorcerer, a liar.” (Surah Al-Mumin: Ayats 23-24).
Qārūn was from Banī Isrā’īl (not Egyptian) was exceptionally wealthy but his crime was not wealth itself, but: Arrogance, exploitation and claiming superiority over his own people. He this became a symbol of corrupt wealth within an oppressed community.
Let us now explain the verse a little just to apprise the readers why he is been specifically mentioned in Al Qur'an as an example.
- “He transgressed against them” (بَغَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ): This phrase implies: (1) Abuse of wealth, (2) Economic injustice, (3) Social oppression, (4) Using power to dominate others. It may be said that Qārūn mirrored Pharaoh’s arrogance — but through money, not the throne.
- “Do not exult”:
- The Arabic “lā tafraḥ لَا تَفۡرَحۡ” does not mean “do not be happy.” Rather it means: (1) Do not boast arrogantly, (2) Do not revel in pride, (3) Do not attribute success to yourself
- Compare this verse with: “Indeed, Allah does not like every arrogant boaster.” (31:18)
The mention of Qārūn in the following verses
It would be difficult to explain each of the following verses related to Qārūn, but just by listing each will give out the arrogance and the final fate of him, given herein under:
- (28:77) (People cautioned Qārūn by saying) Seek by means of the wealth that Allah has granted you the Abode of the Hereafter, but forget not your share in this world and do good as Allah has been good to you and do not strive to create mischief in the land, for Allah loves not those who create mischief."
- (28:78) He (Qārūn) replied: "All this has been given to me on account of a certain knowledge that I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him those who were stronger in might than he and were more numerous in multitude? The wicked are not asked about their acts of sin.
- (28:79) Once Korah went forth among his people in full glitter. Those seeking the life of this world said: "Would that we had the like of what Korah has! He truly has a great fortune."
- (28:80) But those endowed with true knowledge said: "Woe to you. The reward of Allah is best for those who believe and act righteously. But none except those who are patient shall attain to this
- (28:81) At last We caused the earth to swallow him and his house. Thereafter there was no group of people that could come to his aid against Allah; nor was he able to come to his own aid.
- (28:82) And those who had envied his position the day before began to say on the morrow: "Alas, we had forgotten that it is Allah Who increases the provision of those of His servants whom He will and grants in sparing measure to those whom He will. But for Allah's favour upon us, He could have made us to be swallowed too. Alas, we had forgotten that the unbelievers do not prosper."
* Note: Those wanting to read the tafseer/explanation of these verses may refer to our publication: Exegesis of Surah Al Qasas (Part II)
How the mention of Qārūn fits the flow of Surah Al-Qaṣaṣ
Surah Al-Qaṣaṣ presents three models of power - all rose to unmatchable positions yet they succumbed to their arrogance and thanklessness:
- Pharaoh was given extreme Political power but was destroyed when resisted Prophet Musa (Moses) in his prophethood mission and made his utmost to stop him and even kill him by the might of his army. He along with his army drowned and perished in is body is stisea - though his body is still found preserved as was promised by Allah.
- Hāmān was an administrative giant who committed atrocities and oppressed the poor at the behest of Pharaoh and was too destroyed.
- Qārūn, third of the most powerful man of Pharaoh's time who was bestowed with immense wealth and had become an economic giant but was too destroyed like Pharaoh and Haman for being thankless to his creator.
- This shows that all forms of arrogance finally collapse.
Why does Allah mention likes of Qārūn in Al Qur'an
The above explanation of the verse 77 and mention of the threesome, that is Pharaoh, Haman and Qārūn and their character shows the why. The mention of the three perfectly fits when arrogance, be due to power, administrative hold or wealth, becomes so strong that a man loses control over his faith and the truth that should show him who bestowed upon these positions and why. For a rationale man, one blessings beyond one's perception should induce humility and thankfulness rather than arrogance, false pride and thanklessness. When a man loses sight of his Bestower and boasts of his achievements saying "All this has been given to me on account of a certain knowledge that I have," then the Creator shows His anger for their faithlessness and shows His wrath to them. And this exactly what happened to the three men mentioned above.
Do (likes of ) Qārūn still exist today?
Yes, they still do but not as a person, but as a mindset and a system. In fact the three "qualities" of Pharaoh, Haman and Qārūn combined together are found in some of the powerful countries of the world. Instead of rendering helping hand to the oppressed and needy, their mindset is that of an arrogant thankless man to boast of their power and become masters of the oppressed rather than saviours.
For example, modern forms of Qārūn are the economically powerful countries who: Hoard wealth, and use it to exploit the weak and disconnect wealth from moral responsibility. We have seen wheat being thrown into sea being surplus in one country while millions starve and die everyday of hunger and scarcity of food. The power politics take precedence over helping others and freeing the oppressed.
These economic giants are the modern day Qārūn, being closely watched Divinely and the Divine patience is not unlimited. When oppressions exceeds beyond a tolerable line, nations and civilizations fall and men like Qārūn perish as did Qārūn when he along with his entire wealth was engulfed by desert sand and gone forever.
Surah 28:76, and its following verses up to verse 82, teaches that wealth without humility turns a person into a tyrant like Qārūn, and while the man is gone, his mindset still exists wherever riches produce arrogance and injustice.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah (28) Al-Qaṣaṣ ( القصص “The Stories”) already published. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
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An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
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