Surah Al-Qasas (28) — Ayah 76

(Ayah 76) ➊ {اِنَّ قَارُوْنَ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمِ مُوْسٰى … :} A major reason for the disbelievers of Makkah not accepting faith was their financial and worldly interests, which they expressed by saying: «{ اِنْ نَّتَّبِعِ الْهُدٰى مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّفْ مِنْ اَرْضِنَا }» [ القصص : ۵۷ ] “If we follow this guidance with you, we will be snatched away from our land.” These people were great tycoons, bankers, and capitalists, whom international trade had made the Qarun of their time. Allah Almighty refuted their excuse in several ways, including mentioning the blessings they received due to the Haram, the destruction of nations arrogant over their economy, and the fact that whatever you have been given in this world is merely the provision and adornment of worldly life. Do not incur loss in the Hereafter because of it, which is far better and everlasting. In between, the state of the polytheists on the Day of Resurrection and some arguments for monotheism are mentioned. In the end, the story of Qarun, his wealth, his disbelief and arrogance, and his evil end is mentioned, that worldly wealth is not something for which a person should deprive himself of the wealth of faith and eternal happiness.

➋ { اِنَّ قَارُوْنَ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمِ مُوْسٰى:} The Noble Qur’an has clearly stated that Qarun was from the people of Musa (Moses), and he had become an ally of Pharaoh against his own people, just as all tyrant kings use someone from the same nation as their tool by giving them wealth, status, and rank to oppress their people. Some commentaries have written that he was a memorizer of the Torah and used to recite it in a very beautiful voice, but was a hypocrite inside. However, from the Noble Qur’an it is evident that he was so firm in disbelief that among those who denied Musa (Moses), Allah Almighty mentioned Qarun by name as one of two men mentioned along with Pharaoh, as He said: «{ وَ لَقَدْ اَرْسَلْنَا مُوْسٰى بِاٰيٰتِنَا وَ سُلْطٰنٍ مُّبِيْنٍ (23) اِلٰى فِرْعَوْنَ وَ هَامٰنَ وَ قَارُوْنَ فَقَالُوْا سٰحِرٌ كَذَّابٌ }» [ المؤمن : ۲۳، ۲۴ ] “And indeed, We sent Musa with Our signs and a clear authority to Pharaoh and Haman and Qarun, but they said, ‘A magician, a great liar.’” (See also Al-Ankabut: 39) According to this, the claim that he was a scholar of the Torah or a hypocrite is not correct.

➌ { فَبَغٰى عَلَيْهِمْ:} What greater rebellion could there be than that he became the right hand of such a person against his own people who used to slaughter their sons, keep their women alive, and inflict upon them the worst punishments.

➍ {وَ اٰتَيْنٰهُ مِنَ الْكُنُوْزِ … :} From this it is understood that the wealth given to the oppressors is also granted by Allah Almighty, in which there is wisdom of their trial and the completion of proof against them. {’’اَلْعُصْبَةُ ‘‘} A group of unspecified men. It is called {’’عُصْبَةٌ‘‘} because each member is a source of strength for the other. In common usage, a group of ten to forty men is called this. {’’مَفَاتِحُ‘‘ ’’مِفْتَحٌ‘‘} is the plural, meaning keys. That is, We gave Qarun such treasures that the keys to the locks of the rooms filled with them were heavy for a strong group to carry. The commentaries mention strange and wondrous details of these treasures, for which we have no means of verification. The author of Al-Kashshaf said: “Several words of exaggeration have been used to describe the abundance of his wealth, i.e., {’’اَلْكُنُوْزُ، اَلْمَفَاتِحُ، اَلنَّوْءُ} (to be heavy) {اَلْعُصْبَةُ، أُوْلِي الْقُوَّةِ‘‘} This proves the great abundance of those riches.”

➎ { اِذْ قَالَ لَهٗ قَوْمُهٗ لَا تَفْرَحْ …:} When Allah Almighty bestows His blessings upon a person, he becomes arrogant over them; his speech, his dress, his gait, his style, in short, every gesture of his exudes pride and arrogance. This was the case with Qarun. The righteous elders and scholars of the Children of Israel advised him that Allah Almighty has given you wealth, so stay within your limits, do not spend it in disobedience to Allah, and do not become arrogant; Allah Almighty does not love those who are arrogant.

76-1. His oppression upon his people, the Children of Israel, was that due to his abundance of wealth and riches, he used to belittle them. Some say that he was appointed by Pharaoh as an official over his people, the Children of Israel, and he used to oppress them.

76-2. The meaning of تنوء is to incline (to lean), just as when a person lifts a heavy object, he staggers here and there due to the weight. The burden of his keys was so great that even a strong group would feel heaviness while carrying them.

76-3. That is, do not be arrogant and proud. Some have interpreted it as miserliness, meaning do not be miserly.

76-4. That is, He does not like those who are arrogant and proud, or those who are miserly.

76. Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Musa (Moses), but he rebelled against them. And We had given him such treasures that their keys would have been a burden to a strong group of men [101]. Once, his people said to him: "Do not exult [102], for Allah does not like those who exult."

[101]
The Example of Qarun for the Wealthy of Quraysh:

The excuse of the Quraysh of Makkah was that if they accepted Islam, the polytheist Arab tribes would become their enemies. Not only would their political power come to an end, but they would also be economically ruined. Although this was merely a pretext for not accepting Islam, there was some truth in the fact that most of the chiefs of Quraysh were very wealthy and noble. Among them were some who practiced usury, and many people would also give their capital to members of trading caravans on a partnership basis. Their trading caravans were also safe from looting. Moreover, Makkah had become a commercial market. Therefore, there were many multimillionaire merchants among them. And where the entire environment is materialistic and a person's greatness and honor are measured only by the standards of wealth, it is well known how much respect is given to such wealthy people. The situation of Qarun was exactly the same, who was an even greater magnate than them. For this reason, Allah Almighty has mentioned the example of Qarun here.

Qarun and His Characteristics:

Qarun was not only related to Bani Israel, but was also the cousin of Prophet Musa ؑ. Allah had granted him immense wealth, and he was the greatest chief of the entire region. Prophet Musa ؑ demanded the payment of zakat from him. His zakat alone amounted to millions. Therefore, he refused to pay zakat. It is human nature that the wealthier a person becomes, the more he becomes entangled in the pursuit of more. Instead of taking something out of his coffers, he only desires to add more to them. Upon Prophet Musa’s ؑ demand for zakat, not only did he refuse to pay, but he also left Bani Israel and joined the opposing party, that is, Pharaoh and his courtiers. He was both wealthy and clever. Therefore, he attained a distinguished position in Pharaoh’s court, and after Pharaoh and Haman, he was considered third in rank. As mentioned in Surah Al-Mu’min, verses 23 and 24: “We sent Musa (peace be upon him) with Our signs and a clear authority to Pharaoh, Haman, and Qarun, but they said, ‘He is a magician, a great liar.’” [40: 23، 24]
[102] This too is human nature, that if Allah bestows His favors upon someone, he begins to consider himself a being superior to ordinary people. His speech, his dress, his gait, his style—in short, every aspect of his demeanor exudes arrogance and pride. He holds others in no regard. This was exactly the situation of Qarun. Some elders of Bani Israel advised him that if Allah has blessed you with wealth and riches, then keep yourself under control and restraint; boasting at every turn is not a good thing, nor does Allah like such people.