۞ 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
فَأَصْبَحَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ خَآئِفًا يَتَرَقَّبُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَنصَرَهُۥ بِٱلْأَمْسِ يَسْتَصْرِخُهُۥ ۚ قَالَ لَهُۥ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّكَ لَغَوِىٌّ مُّبِينٌ
And he became inside the city fearful and anticipating [exposure], when suddenly the one who sought his help the previous day cried out to him [once again]. Moses said to him, "Indeed, you are an evident, [persistent] deviator."
وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِن نَّتَّبِعِ ٱلْهُدَىٰ مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّفْ مِنْ أَرْضِنَآ ۚ أَوَلَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّهُمْ حَرَمًا ءَامِنًا يُجْبَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ ثَمَرَٰتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ رِّزْقًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And they [i.e., the Quraysh] say, "If we were to follow the guidance with you, we would be swept from our land." Have We not established for them a safe sanctuary to which are brought the fruits of all things as provision from Us? But most of them do not know.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَآ أَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْقُرُونَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ بَصَآئِرَ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
And We gave Moses the Scripture, after We had destroyed the former generations, as enlightenment for the people and guidance and mercy that they might be reminded.
أَفَمَن وَعَدْنَـٰهُ وَعْدًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ لَـٰقِيهِ كَمَن مَّتَّعْنَـٰهُ مَتَـٰعَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ هُوَ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْضَرِينَ
Then is he whom We have promised a good promise which he will meet [i.e., obtain] like he for whom We provided enjoyment of worldly life [but] then he is, on the Day of Resurrection, among those presented [for punishment in Hell]?