Surah Al-Qasas (28) — Ayah 79

(Ayah 79) ➊ {فَخَرَجَ عَلٰى قَوْمِهٖ فِيْ زِيْنَتِهٖ :} Qarun did not consider the verbal expression of pride and arrogance over his wealth and riches to be sufficient, but he also arranged to display it before the people. The words (in his adornment) {’’ فِيْ زِيْنَتِهٖ ‘‘} indicate what kind of arrangements he must have made on this occasion to show off his wealth and grandeur. In this way, he wanted to overawe Musa (peace be upon him) and his companions, so that some of them might break away and join him, because the majority of the public is influenced by such displays. Some details of his adornment have been mentioned in the commentaries, but it is clear that their basis is Israelite traditions. For example, in Tafsir Tabari, Qatadah said: "We have been informed that they went out with four thousand mounts, and both they and their mounts were dressed in crimson (bright pink) color." Ibn Zayd said: "My father used to mention that he came out with a procession of seventy thousand." Maraghi has quoted Muqatil as saying that he was riding a piebald mule whose saddle was of gold, accompanied by four thousand horsemen dressed in crimson garments. Along with him were three hundred fair-skinned girls, adorned with jewelry and red clothes, riding on piebald mules, and so on. The reality is that neither Qatadah was present there, nor Zayd, nor Muqatil, nor did they receive this detail through revelation. However, it is certain that the person whose treasure keys were a burden for a strong group did not leave any stone unturned in displaying his wealth and splendor. Thus, he adopted such an arrogant manner which was greatly disliked by Allah Almighty.

➋ {قَالَ الَّذِيْنَ يُرِيْدُوْنَ الْحَيٰوةَ الدُّنْيَا … :} Those people whose very purpose in life is the attainment of the world and its adornment, upon seeing Qarun’s grandeur, began to say, "Alas! If only we had been given what Qarun has been given; indeed, he is a man of great fortune." These people could be the common people of Bani Israel, because the desire for worldly prosperity exists in every heart, and also the people of Pharaoh’s nation. Examples of this desire can still be seen everywhere. Look at men or women, young or old, everyone is striving to surpass one another in the race for worldly progress. Everyone harbors some wish that, "If only my house were like so-and-so’s, my ride like so-and-so’s, my business like so-and-so’s," and then, in pursuit of this wish, neither do they care for what is lawful nor unlawful. The Quran has not mentioned these examples merely for storytelling, but has narrated all this to warn us of the evil end of such behavior.

79-1 That is, with adornment and decoration. 79-2 Who were those who said this? According to some, it was the believers who were impressed by his power and splendor, and according to others, it was the disbelievers.

79. So one day he came out before his people in all his pomp. Those who desired the life of this world said, "If only we had been given the like of what Qarun has been given! He is indeed a man of great fortune."

[107]
Qarun’s Display of Royal Splendor and the Longing of Worldly People:

That is, some of his mounted servants were riding ahead of him, and he himself, dressed in luxurious garments, was mounted on a fine horse. Then behind him was also a group of his mounted servants. In reality, he wanted to display his grandeur and pomp before the people. And this is precisely the arrogant display that Allah greatly dislikes, and Allah does not forgive such people. However, those who are enamored with the world see such displays as the ultimate stage of progress. Thus, when the materialistic, worldly people saw Qarun coming out with such pomp and show, they too, longing to reach that stage, began to say that this person is indeed very fortunate. If only we could also have such wealth and means.