إِنَّ قَارُونَ كَانَ مِن قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ فَبَغَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْكُنُوزِ مَا إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُ لَتَنُوءُ بِالْعُصْبَةِ أُولِي الْقُوَّةِ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ قَوْمُهُ لَا تَفْرَحْ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَرِحِينَ
Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Musa, but he oppressed 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, Allah does not like the exultant. [28:76]
When the Israelite first settled in Egypt, they were a few and over time they were many but by then they were in the hands of Firawn, a tyrant king. Firawn realised if they were united, they will be a force who may rebel. He decided to bribe one of the Israelites to spy on them and bring news. This person was Qarun.
Whilst the Israelite lived in dumps, Qarun had palaces, horses and treasures. He had so much treasure that it would take few strong men to hold the key to the vault. One day he came out in his adornments, marching with pride and arrogance. Those who loved this world showed they want to be like him. Those who loved the aakirah said; Do not to exult (boast) for Allah does not like those who exult. Allah destroyed him by having the earth swallow him.
Lessons we learn from Qarun;
1. Lineage, family or connection to a Prophet will not help in the hereafter. Rasulullah ﷺ loved Fatima r.a such that he said; Fatima is a piece of my flesh. He ﷺ also said; Oh Fatima! Free yourself from the Hell-fire because I cannot be of benefit if you have not come with your own actions…’ [Muslim]
2. Don’t have pride and show off your wealth. Doesn’t matter how much you have, it can be destroyed so quick. Use wealth in the right way. Abdur Rahman ibn Awf r.a was a very rich Sahabi but he didn’t let wealth take him away from Allah.
3. Don’t live a life only about entertainment and party. For some, their focus is on one party after another, one holiday after another. It doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, but fun is the not the goal. Do not be deluded by the temporary luxuries of this world.
4. Don’t adore the wealthy thinking ‘I wish I had that!’. This is what some said when they saw Qarun. What benefit did that wealth do! People follow the fake lifestyles of others on social media then wish they had that too.
The above is an edited summary from a Jumuah speech by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Nawab delivered on 13/09/19 in Harlow Islamic Centre. Link to the full speech (audio no.47 https://saleemnawab.com/jumuah-bayans/
