Introduction to the Story of Qarun
The Story of Qarun is a striking reminder of how arrogance, pride, and misuse of wealth can lead to one’s downfall. Known as one of the wealthiest men in history, Qarun was not just rich in possessions but also impoverished in faith. His tale, mentioned in Surah Al-Qasas, holds timeless wisdom for Muslims and humanity at large.
Ibn Abbas (radhiAllahu anhu) narrates that Qarun was the cousin of Prophet Musa (alayhis salam). Despite being so closely related to a prophet, Qarun chose pride over humility and hypocrisy over truth. As the Quran recounts, his destruction serves as a divine warning to those who let wealth cloud their hearts.
Qarun’s Early Virtue and His Fall into Hypocrisy
According to Qatadah, Qarun was once known as “An-Nur” (the light) because of his beautiful voice when reciting the Torah. He was a man of knowledge and had access to divine scriptures. However, as time passed, he succumbed to worldly temptations and became a hypocrite. Qarun eventually rejected the message of Musa (alayhis salam) and opposed him with arrogance.
Shahr Ibn Haushab further reported that Qarun used to drag his garments on the ground out of pride, a symbolic gesture of self-conceit. His transformation from a pious reciter to a defiant hypocrite was primarily driven by his immense wealth and status.
His Immense Wealth Described in the Quran
Allah Ta`ala describes Qarun’s riches in Surah Al-Qasas:
“Verily, Qarun was of Musa’s people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him so much treasure that the keys thereof were a burden to a body of strong men.”
۞ إِنَّ قَـٰرُونَ كَانَ مِن قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ فَبَغَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلْكُنُوزِ مَآ إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُۥ لَتَنُوٓأُ بِٱلْعُصْبَةِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْقُوَّةِ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُۥ قَوْمُهُۥ لَا تَفْرَحْ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْفَرِحِينَ
(Surah Al-Qasas: 76)
Some reports mention that the keys to his treasures were so many that they needed to be carried by sixty mules. This hyperbolic illustration underscores the massive scale of Qarun’s wealth, which he wrongfully attributed to his own knowledge:
“This has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess.”
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِىٓ ۚ(Surah Al-Qasas: 78)
This declaration reflects a common attitude among those drunk with success—forgetting that all blessings come from Allah, not self-deserving merit.
The Advice of the Pious and Qarun’s Arrogance
Despite his growing arrogance, the pious among his people advised him wisely:
- “Do not be arrogant with your riches.”
- “Use your wealth to seek the Hereafter.”
- “Do not forget your portion of this world but help the needy.”
They reminded him that his blessings were a test from Allah, and he should share his wealth with the poor. However, Qarun dismissed them arrogantly, claiming that his status was a sign of divine favor and superiority.
The Quran responds directly to this false belief:
“Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations who were stronger in might and greater in accumulation?”
عِندِىٓ ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةًۭ وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًۭا ۚ
(Surah Al-Qasas: 78)
Qarun’s Public Display of Pride
The Story of Qarun intensifies as he makes a grand public appearance, flaunting his wealth. The Quran says:
“So he went forth before his people in his pomp…”
فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فِى زِينَتِهِۦ ۖ(Surah Al-Qasas: 79)
This scene left many worldly-minded people in awe, saying:
“Would that we had the like of what Qarun has! Verily, he is the owner of a great fortune.”
Yet the righteous responded immediately:
“Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for him who believes and does righteous good deeds.”
Here, Allah contrasts ephemeral worldly success with eternal reward in the Hereafter. The spectacle of Qarun’s riches was empty glitter compared to the real treasure of piety (taqwa).
Qarun’s Plot Against Musa (Alayhis Salam)
The transgression of Qarun did not stop at arrogance. Ibn Abbas (radhiAllahu anhu) narrates that Qarun even plotted to defame Musa (alayhis salam) by hiring an evil woman to falsely accuse the Prophet in public.
However, when confronted by Musa (alayhis salam), the woman broke down and revealed the truth: it was Qarun who bribed her. She repented, and Musa (alayhis salam) prayed against Qarun, seeking divine justice.
The Earth Swallowed Qarun and His Wealth
Allah granted Musa (alayhis salam) command over the earth. In response to his supplication, the ground was ordered to swallow Qarun and all that he owned.
“So, We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling. Then he had no group or party to help him against Allah.”
فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِۦ وَبِدَارِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُۥ مِن فِئَةٍۢ يَنصُرُونَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنتَصِرِينَ
(Surah Al-Qasas: 81)
According to narrations:
- First, the earth took Qarun up to his feet.
- Then, to his knees.
- Then, to his shoulders.
- And finally, the treasures were also consumed before the onlookers’ eyes.
Qatadah said: “They would sink into the earth till the Day of Resurrection.”
Ibn Abbas (radhiAllahu anhu) added: “They sank until they reached the lowest part of the earth.”
Public Reaction and Gratitude
After witnessing Qarun’s destruction, those who once envied him were filled with awe and remorse. They exclaimed:
“Had it not been that Allah was gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us too!”
“Know you not that the disbelievers will never be successful?”وَأَصْبَحَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَمَنَّوْا۟ مَكَانَهُۥ بِٱلْأَمْسِ يَقُولُونَ وَيْكَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ ۖ لَوْلَآ أَن مَّنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا لَخَسَفَ بِنَا ۖ وَيْكَأَنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
(Surah Al-Qasas: 82)
This realization underscores the impermanence of wealth and the importance of being grateful to Allah rather than being captivated by material illusions.
The Real Treasure: Paradise for the Righteous
Allah concludes the story by directing attention to the true reward:
“That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the good end is for the Muttaqun (pious).”
تِلْكَ ٱلدَّارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّۭا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًۭا ۚ وَٱلْعَـٰقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
(Surah Al-Qasas: 83)
This verse summarizes the central message of the Story of Qarun: Arrogance, pride, and corruption lead to ruin. Humility, piety, and righteousness lead to eternal success.
Prophetic Warnings about Pride and the Fate of Qarun
The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) warned:
“While a man was walking, wearing a two-piece garment and proud of himself… Allah made him sink into the earth and he will go on sinking into it until the Day of Resurrection.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
Another hadith in Musnad Ahmad states:
“He who neglects prayer will be resurrected with Qarun, Fir`aun, Haman, and Ubaiy Ibn Khalaf.”
This severe warning places Qarun among the worst of mankind, indicating the gravity of arrogance, greed, and religious hypocrisy.
Key Lessons from the Story of Qarun
- Wealth is a Test, Not a Proof of Divine Favor
Qarun’s riches led him to destruction, not success. Wealth is not always a sign of Allah’s love. - Arrogance is a Path to Ruin
Just as Qarun’s pride caused the earth to swallow him, arrogance distances a person from divine mercy. - Divine Punishment is Real
The dramatic end of Qarun reminds believers that Allah’s justice will prevail. - True Success Lies in Taqwa (Piety)
Not in treasures or status, but in righteousness and humility before Allah. - Never Harm the Righteous
Qarun’s attempt to tarnish Musa’s honor backfired spectacularly, showing the danger of opposing Allah’s messengers and the pious.
Conclusion: A Timeless Warning
The Story of Qarun is more than just a tale of ancient times. It’s a living message for everyone caught up in the pursuit of material wealth at the expense of faith, humility, and justice. Allah Ta`ala has preserved this story in the Quran to teach that true honor comes only from Allah, and the only enduring wealth is that which is spent in His path.
Final Reminder:
“Seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and do not forget your share of the world.”
وَٱبْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَلَا تَبْغِ ٱلْفَسَادَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
(Surah Al-Qasas: 77)