سُوْرَةُ الْقَصَصِ
Surah Al-Qasas (28) — Ayah 76
۞ 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 ﴿76﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Verily, Qârûn (Korah) was of Mûsâ’s (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: "Do not exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allâh). Verily Allâh likes not those who exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allâh).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
قَـٰرُونَ
qārūna
Qarun
كَانَ
kāna
was
مِن
min
from
قَوْمِ
qawmi
(the) people
مُوسَىٰ
mūsā
(of) Musa
فَبَغَىٰ
fabaghā
but he oppressed
عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ
ʿalayhim
[on] them
وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ
waātaynāhu
And We gave him
مِنَ
mina
of
ٱلْكُنُوزِ
l-kunūzi
the treasures
مَآ
mā
which
إِنَّ
inna
indeed
مَفَاتِحَهُۥ
mafātiḥahu
(the) keys of it
لَتَنُوٓأُ
latanūu
would burden
بِٱلْعُصْبَةِ
bil-ʿuṣ'bati
a company (of men)
أُو۟لِى
ulī
possessors of great strength
ٱلْقُوَّةِ
l-quwati
possessors of great strength
إِذْ
idh
When
قَالَ
qāla
said
لَهُۥ
lahu
to him
قَوْمُهُۥ
qawmuhu
his people
لَا
lā
(Do) not
تَفْرَحْ ۖ
tafraḥ
exult
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
لَا
lā
(does) not
يُحِبُّ
yuḥibbu
love
ٱلْفَرِحِينَ
l-fariḥīna
the exultant
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
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.
[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.
