۞ 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
Translations
Indeed, Qārūn 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, Allāh does not like the exultant.
Transliteration
Inna Qaroona kana min qawmi Moosa fababgha alayhim wa ataynahoo mina al-kunoozi ma inna mafatihu latanu'u bil-ussbati ooli al-quwwati idh qala lahu qawmuhoo la tafrach inna Allaha la yuhibbu al-farihin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah introduces the story of Qarun (Korah), a wealthy man from Musa's people who became arrogant and tyrannical toward them despite Allah's abundant blessings upon him. The treasures Allah gave Qarun were so immense that their keys alone required a group of strong men to carry them. When his people warned him against excessive rejoicing and arrogance, reminding him that Allah does not love those who exult in their wealth, Qarun rejected their counsel—a warning against letting material prosperity breed transgression and heedlessness of divine boundaries.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Qasam (The Stories), which recounts historical narratives as signs of Allah's truth. The story of Qarun serves as a cautionary tale for the Meccan audience about the dangers of wealth-induced arrogance and oppression. It contextually follows the story of Musa and relates to the broader Quranic theme that material abundance is a test from Allah, not a sign of favor or righteousness.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those with the best character' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are far better' (Quran 18:46), which complements the Qarun narrative by emphasizing that true success lies beyond material accumulation.
Themes
Key Lesson
Wealth and abundance are divine tests, not measures of spiritual superiority or divine favor; they demand gratitude, humility, and just treatment of others. The rejection of sincere counsel from righteous people, especially when motivated by arrogance, is a path to spiritual ruin and divine punishment.
Related Ayahs
وَأَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهَا تَهْتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَآنٌّ وَلَّىٰ مُدْبِرًا وَلَمْ يُعَقِّبْ ۚ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ أَقْبِلْ وَلَا تَخَفْ ۖ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔامِنِينَ
And [he was told], "Throw down your staff." But when he saw it writhing as if it was a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [Allāh said], "O Moses, approach and fear not. Indeed, you are of the secure.
وَمَا كُنتَ تَرْجُوٓا۟ أَن يُلْقَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۖ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ ظَهِيرًا لِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And you were not expecting that the Book would be conveyed to you, but [it is] a mercy from your Lord. So do not be an assistant to the disbelievers.
وَإِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مُسْلِمِينَ
And when it is recited to them, they say, "We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were, [even] before it, Muslims [i.e., submitting to Allāh]."
قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُنكِحَكَ إِحْدَى ٱبْنَتَىَّ هَـٰتَيْنِ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تَأْجُرَنِى ثَمَـٰنِىَ حِجَجٍ ۖ فَإِنْ أَتْمَمْتَ عَشْرًا فَمِنْ عِندِكَ ۖ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَيْكَ ۚ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
He said, "Indeed, I wish to wed you one of these, my two daughters, on [the condition] that you serve me for eight years; but if you complete ten, it will be [as a favor] from you. And I do not wish to put you in difficulty. You will find me, if Allāh wills, from among the righteous."