۞ 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
قَالَ ذَٰلِكَ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكَ ۖ أَيَّمَا ٱلْأَجَلَيْنِ قَضَيْتُ فَلَا عُدْوَٰنَ عَلَىَّ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَا نَقُولُ وَكِيلٌ
[Moses] said, "That is [established] between me and you. Whichever of the two terms I complete - there is no injustice to me, and Allāh, over what we say, is Witness."
فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُ وَجُنُودَهُۥ فَنَبَذْنَـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ ۖ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
So We took him and his soldiers and threw them into the sea. So see how was the end of the wrongdoers.
وَقَالَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُ فِرْعَوْنَ قُرَّتُ عَيْنٍ لِّى وَلَكَ ۖ لَا تَقْتُلُوهُ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَنفَعَنَآ أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُۥ وَلَدًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
And the wife of Pharaoh said, "[He will be] a comfort of the eye [i.e., pleasure] for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son." And they perceived not.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ هُم بِهِۦ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it - they are believers in it.