Qarun: the story in the Quran

The story

1. 1

   Qarun's wealth

   Qarun was from the people of Musa (peace be upon him), but he transgressed against them. Allah had given him so many treasures that merely carrying their keys was a burden for a group of strong men (Al-Qasas, 76).

   So he was one of the wealthiest men of his time; but this wealth became for him a cause of arrogance rather than gratitude.

2. 2

   The people's advice

   His people warned him: "Do not exult, for Allah does not love those who exult" (Al-Qasas, 76).

   They showed him a balanced path: "Seek the abode of the Hereafter with what Allah has given you, but do not forget your share in this world; do good as Allah has done good to you, and do not seek corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not love those who cause corruption" (Al-Qasas, 77).

3. 3

   The arrogant reply

   Qarun answered this advice with arrogance: "This wealth was given to me only because of the knowledge I possess" (Al-Qasas, 78).

   Yet he should have known that Allah had destroyed many generations before him who were stronger than him and had amassed more wealth. In this way he attributed the wealth to himself and denied that Allah was its true giver.

4. 4

   The lavish appearance and the two groups

   One day Qarun went out before his people in all his splendor. Those who desired the life of this world said: "If only we had been given what Qarun has been given; indeed, he is a man of great fortune" (Al-Qasas, 79).

   But those given knowledge replied that Allah's reward is better for those who believe and do righteous deeds. In this way, people were divided into two groups: those deceived by this world and those who favored the Hereafter.

5. 5

   His sinking into the earth

   In the end, Allah made both him and his house sink into the earth. He found no group that could help him besides Allah, nor could he defend himself (Al-Qasas, 81).

   By the next morning, those who had wished to be in his place the day before were saying: "So Allah grants abundant provision to whom He wills of His servants, and He restricts it. Had Allah not shown us favor, He would have made us sink as well" (Al-Qasas, 82). Thus the truth became clear to everyone.

The account of Qarun appears near the end of Surah Al-Qasas, following the events concerning Musa (peace be upon him) and Pharaoh. Pharaoh represents political power and tyranny, while Qarun represents wealth and arrogance; both come to ruin through their claims of greatness against Allah. The account shows that wealth is not evil in itself, but how one approaches it determines one's fate.

• Wealth is a blessing from Allah; attributing it to oneself by saying "I earned it through my own knowledge" is the beginning of arrogance.
• Seeking the Hereafter alongside one's wealth, without forgetting one's share in this world, is the correct path.
• Outward splendor can deceive a person; desiring worldly wealth is often a test, not guidance.
• No power or wealth can protect a person against Allah's punishment.
• Faith and righteous deeds are better and more lasting than the fleeting wealth of this world.

References are drawn from Quran verses, available authentic hadith and reliable scholarship.

• QuranSurah Al-Qasas, 76

  This verse contains Qarun's identity, his wealth, and his people's advice against exulting.

• QuranSurah Al-Qasas, 78

  This verse narrates Qarun's statement that his wealth was given to him through his own knowledge, and his arrogance.

• QuranSurah Al-Qasas, 81

  This verse states that Qarun sank into the earth along with his house.

• HadithSahih Bukhari, 5789

  This authentic hadith about a man who was made to sink into the earth for dragging his garment in arrogance reinforces the theme of arrogance's consequences (it does not concern Qarun; it is a general warning).

• Scholarly sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Kārûn"

  Referenced for scholarly information on Qarun's identity, his connection to the people of Musa (peace be upon him), his wealth, and his fate.

Other narratives found in the Quran.

• The Owner of the Two Gardens

  The instructive parable of an arrogant garden owner and his believing friend

• The Owners of the Garden

  The story of owners who wanted to deprive the poor and lost their garden in a single night

• The Advice of Luqman

  The valuable advice the wise Luqman gave his son

• Musa

Common questions about this story.

• What is the story of Qarun about?

  The story of Qarun in Surah Al-Qasas tells of an immensely wealthy man from the people of Musa (peace be upon him) who relied on his wealth and grew arrogant, ignored his people's advice, and was ultimately made to sink into the earth along with his house.

• Who was Qarun?

  Qarun was a very wealthy man from the people of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him), to whom Allah had given great treasures. He was ruined because he grew arrogant through this wealth.

• Why was Qarun destroyed?

  Instead of thanking Allah, he said his wealth came "through my own knowledge," grew arrogant, transgressed against his people, and ignored their advice. Because of this, Allah made him sink into the earth along with his house (Al-Qasas, 81).

• In which surah of the Quran is the story of Qarun told?

  This account appears in verses 76-83 of Surah Al-Qasas (the 28th surah).