THE STORY OF THE PROPHET MOSES - Conceit of the Rich Qarun

Qarun is one of the Children of Israel who lived in the time of Moses. The majority of scholars argue that Qarun is the nephew of Prophet Moses. Allah SWT has given him very much property. Because of his wealth, Qarun became an arrogant person. So rich, the keys to the treasure storage warehouse were very hard for some strong people to carry.

The counselors of his people have warned the Qarun not to boast too much in front of others and not to be arrogant because of the wealth that Allah SWT gave him. They advise Qarun that him should focus on getting merit from Allah SWT and enjoyment in the hereafter, because it is better and more lasting. But also does not leave the life of the world, because it is a means to worship and do good deeds for the provision of the hereafter. In reaching for the life of the world, it must be in ways that are allowed by Allah SWT and only enjoy all halal sustenance. Not forgetting to do good to all creatures of Allah SWT as Allah SWT does good to His creatures, in this case is Qarun. And it is forbidden to do damage and evil on this earth, because it will get a reply in the form of evil and all pleasures will be removed.

Surah Al-Qashash verses 76-77:

۞إِنَّ قَٰرُونَ كَانَ مِن قَوۡمِ مُوسَىٰ فَبَغَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡۖ وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلۡكُنُوزِ مَآ إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُۥ لَتَنُوٓأُ بِٱلۡعُصۡبَةِ أُوْلِي ٱلۡقُوَّةِ إِذۡ قَالَ لَهُۥ قَوۡمُهُۥ لَا تَفۡرَحۡۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡفَرِحِينَ  ٧٦ وَٱبۡتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَأَحۡسِن كَمَآ أَحۡسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيۡكَۖ وَلَا تَبۡغِ ٱلۡفَسَادَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ  ٧٧

76.  Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, "Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.

77.  But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters."

Qarun answered the correct counsel of those people with pride. Qarun felt that he did not need advice from those people, because he felt that he was among those who were loved by Allah SWT. If Allah SWT does not love him, surely he will not get that many gifts, he thought. All enjoyment obtained is ascribed to his own knowledge and business.

Surely Allah SWT has destroyed the previous people who sinned and defied the commands of Allah SWT. Even though they are stronger, more wealth, and more offspring than Qarun. If the Qarun statement is true, surely people with more wealth will not get the punishment from Allah SWT. Property is not proof of the true love of Allah SWT, it is only a test of life in this world. People who believe and love to do good are people who are loved by Allah SWT.

Surah Al-Qashash verse 78:

قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ عِندِيٓۚ أَوَ لَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدۡ أَهۡلَكَ مِن مِن قَبۡلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرُونِ مَنۡ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنۡهُ قُوَّةٗ وَأَكۡثَرُ جَمۡعٗاۚ وَلَا يُسۡ‍َٔلُ عَن ذُنُوبِهِمُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ  ٧٨

78.  He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked.

Qarun came out to his people with a very luxurious appearance, beautiful clothes, and accompanied by a number of servants or followers. People who see him who glorify the life of the world will dream of becoming like Qarun. When good and true people hear the words of those who dream, they advise that it is a false thought and statement. The reward of Allah SWT in the Hereafter is better, more eternal, higher, and more noble. Only people who are patient and who sincerely have a noble desire to obtain pleasure in the hereafter will get the reward in the hereafter.

Surah Al-Qashash verses 79-80:

فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦ فِي زِينَتِهِۦۖ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا يَٰلَيۡتَ لَنَا مِثۡلَ مَآ أُوتِيَ قَٰرُونُ إِنَّهُۥ لَذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٖ  ٧٩ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ وَيۡلَكُمۡ ثَوَابُ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ لِّمَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗاۚ وَلَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ  ٨٠

79.  So he came out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said, "Oh, would that we had like what was given to Qarun. Indeed, he is one of great fortune."

80.  But those who had been given knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."

Because of the arrogance of the Qarun, Allah SWT gave punishment by immersing Qarun and his property into the earth. It is said that Prophet Moses had prayed to Allah SWT so that the earth obeyed the orders of the Prophet Moses. Then the Prophet Moses ordered the earth to immerse Qarun and his property. Then it became a reality.

Surah Al-Qashash verse 81:

فَخَسَفۡنَا بِهِۦ وَبِدَارِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُۥ مِن فِئَةٖ يَنصُرُونَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنتَصِرِينَ  ٨١

81.  And We caused the earth to swallow him and his home. And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah, nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves.

After the Qarun was immersed in the earth, his property was destroyed, and his house was destroyed, people who dreamed of becoming like Qarun felt sorry. They are also grateful that Allah SWT still gives them gifts. It turns out that people who deny the blessings of Allah SWT will not be lucky. It turns out that the afterlife in heaven is better than the life of the world. Enjoyment in the hereafter will not be obtained by people who always do damage in the world. Surely pleasure in the hereafter is only for those who be cautious.

Surah Al-Qashash verses 82-83:

وَأَصۡبَحَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَمَنَّوۡاْ مَكَانَهُۥ بِٱلۡأَمۡسِ يَقُولُونَ وَيۡكَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُۖ لَوۡلَآ أَن مَّنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡنَا لَخَسَفَ بِنَاۖ وَيۡكَأَنَّهُۥ لَا يُفۡلِحُ ٱلۡكَٰفِرُونَ  ٨٢ تِلۡكَ ٱلدَّارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ نَجۡعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوّٗا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فَسَادٗاۚ وَٱلۡعَٰقِبَةُ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ  ٨٣

82.  And those who had wished for his position the previous day began to say, "Oh, how Allah extends provision to whom He wills of His servants and restricts it! If not that Allah had conferred favor on us, He would have caused it to swallow us. Oh, how the disbelievers do not succeed!"

83.  That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.