۞ 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
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُؤْتَوْنَ أَجْرَهُم مَّرَّتَيْنِ بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
Those will be given their reward twice for what they patiently endured and [because] they avert evil through good, and from what We have provided them they spend.
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى قَتَلْتُ مِنْهُمْ نَفْسًا فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ
He said, "My Lord, indeed I killed from among them someone, and I fear they will kill me.
فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِۦ وَبِدَارِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُۥ مِن فِئَةٍ يَنصُرُونَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنتَصِرِينَ
And We caused the earth to swallow him and his home. And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allāh, nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves.
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍۭ بَطِرَتْ مَعِيشَتَهَا ۖ فَتِلْكَ مَسَـٰكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَن مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ۖ وَكُنَّا نَحْنُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ
And how many a city have We destroyed that was insolent in its [way of] living, and those are their dwellings which have not been inhabited after them except briefly. And it is We who were the inheritors.