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“He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that Allah had
destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in
accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked.”
Surah Al-Qasas, 28:78
ORIGINS OF QARUN
The word quroon in Arabic is the plural of qarn, which is a generation. Not only does this
share a resemblance with his own name, Qarun, but it also shares similarity with his name
as mentioned in the Ancient Hebrew language found in the Tawrah.
Allah says that “does he not know that Allah has destroyed entire nations before.”
Their stories were told and people knew about the people of ‘Aad and Thamud. They left
huge landmarks behind, and they vanished, and their stories were spread throughout the
lands. People are fully aware that there were these nations before us that got wiped out.
We don’t know what happened exactly, but they got destroyed.
They knew about those stories, so Allah says, does he not know about those nations?
They were stronger than him, they were wealthier than him, but they were destroyed. So
let them not get too carried away with his knowledge, thinking that he’s invincible.
“So he came out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said,
"Oh, would that we had like what was given to Qarun. Indeed, he is one of great fortune."”
Surah Al-Qasas, 28:79
SHOWCASE OF QARUN’S WEALTH
What was his response? He came out in front of
his people with all of his adornments. Remember
how previously his people said don’t express your
happiness in a way that is inappropriate? He
would parade in front of the people with all of his
wealth. Some of the books of tafsir mention that
he would gather his cavalry of horses and the
straps that are tied to the horse were made of
gold! And so much jewelry, that he would have a
whole entourage just to parade in front of people. It’s not like he had somewhere to go!
This was Just a display for people to look at him and his wealth. Sounds silly, right? Is that
something that people still behave similarly nowadays, yup!
Shaykh Mohammed Mana mentioned a story about a particular street in Madinah where
there were many shops and restaurants. And on a small part of the street where some
people who happened to be young guys would get really bored. And it’s really silly when
you think about it. You feel bad for them for making a fool of themselves. You would be
sitting there, eating dinner at the restaurant and these homeboys are just driving up and
down the street taking U-turns and repeating this back and forth. Just putting it in neutral
and revving their engine and driving up and down the street and repeat. They aren’t even
enjoying this, they just want people to see them. What is the point? That is like this verse
“So he came out in full display of adornment.”
But those who had been given knowledge said “ ” َو ْيلَكُ ُْمwhich in Arabic means something like
“Hey stop”, “How could you?”, “Whoa this is bad, woe to you.” “The reward of Allah is
better for the who believes and follows up that belief with righteousness actions. And the
only ones that will attain that reward from Allah are those that have patience.”
These are two very interesting reactions we see among these two groups of people.
Because the Prophet told us in a saheeh hadith: “This dunya is for four categories of
people.” People will react in this dunya in four different ways. You will find four types of
people.
1. A person that Allah has given wealth and knowledge of Allah (piety).
So they spend that wealth in different avenues of goodness. And it’s so beautiful when
you see a person that Allah has blessed with wealth using it to bring good to those
around them. It is really refreshing and beautiful to see that.
2. A person that Allah has given knowledge, meaning piety, but they
have not been given much wealth.
So when this person sees someone from category #1 who is spending in khayr, bringing
good to society. When they see that, they look towards them and say, “I wish I had the
wealth that they had so I could do that khayr that they are doing. They have a good form
of jealousy. Generally speaking, jealousy is bad but this is positive jealousy. This is good
that they wish they had those resources to also do that good.
3. A person that Allah has given and tested with wealth but they have
no knowledge of Allah, meaning no piety.
So they spend that wealth in ways that are haram. In avenues and ways that are
displeasing to Allah . There are so many examples of that. We ask Allah to
protect us.
What is so interesting here, is that when the Prophet mentioned category #2, they
were given knowledge of Allah but not much wealth. They were described as looking
towards category #1 who were spending in goodness. He said that category #1 and #2 will
be equal in reward. Even though category #2 didn’t have anything to spend. But Allah
rewarded them for that sincere and good intention. So they are equal in reward. As for
category #3 and #4, the Prophet said, they will also share in sin. This is scary. Someone
may say that I heard a hadith that if you intend to do something bad but don’t commit do
that sin, then you get a good deed. So is there any contradiction there? No! This is in the
case of someone who takes the steps and measures to intentionally and purposefully stop
themselves from doing something wrong. It doesn’t work for someone who, for example,
was driving to do something bad and their car stopped working in the middle of road. They
can’t tell themselves that at least they won’t get the sin now for committing that bad deed.
This reward is for someone who actually stops themselves.
The scholars said that this is a person who has the desire and the intention to do something
wrong. They are chasing it and had they had the wealth of that person, they would be
engaging in the same haram activities that that wealthy category is engaging in. So, they too
will have a share of those bad deeds. Yes, just like Allah rewards a good intention. We
can be held accountable for seeking and chasing something sinful, even if we don’t have the
means for it. So “be careful what you wish for.”
But the people of ‘ilm had the right perspective. When they heard people drooling over
what Qarun possessed, they reacted with strength. They informed those people to seek that
which is better than what they originally sought and what he has is only temporary.
Insert Verse 80
We learn from this ayah two pillars that we need to stand upon to
be firm in the face of trials. Trials and tests can include wealth
and they sometimes come like a tsunami and it is easy to get
swept up by it in that moment. And we currently live in the days
of crazy trials and tests and that is the nature of this dunya
especially as you get closer to the end of this world.
1. Patience
2. Knowledge
Out of everything Allah could have described this category of people with, he
specifically used ‘ilm. They had both knowledge and sabr because each of those two
attributes may not be sufficient by themselves.
‘Ilm alone can be a fitnah sometimes and a lot of people slip into this trial. On the flip side, if
one possesses sabr but is devoid of ‘ilm, then it’s not sitting on a strong foundation and
eventually that person will be patient and patient and patient, then they will exhaust that
limited reserve of patience. Iman includes both of these attributes.
When we hear sabr, we often think about being patient in the face of calamity, but that’s
only one form of patience.
Fitnah can come in all shapes and sizes. The one highlighted here is the test of wealth. And
we can only pass it with the twin pillars of patience and knowledge by the permission of
Allah .
In the shariah of Bani Isra'il, this person would be stoned to death, which is also confirmed
by other narrations of the prophet . When a group of Jews outside of Madinah came to
the prophet , one of them who had committed zinah, asked for the prophet’s ruling,
assuming that he would go easier than their own ruling, the prophet ruled based on
their legislation stating that the punishment is stoning as stated in their own Tawrah.
PUNISHMENT OF QARUN
“And We caused the earth to swallow him and his home. And there was for him no company to
aid him other than Allah, nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves.”
Surah Al-Qasas, 28:81
A sinkhole appeared slowly and the du’a of Musa was answered instantly. You will
notice this pattern in his life. He makes an incredible amount of du’a and they are
answered. This is just one example of that. And now Musa’s record is clear. But look at all
that he has to go through. His character is called to question, rumors spread, and slander
from his own people. He struggled through all of these obstacles and persevered with
patience. This shows us the amazing character he had. We will see he comes triumphant in
the face of other obstacles as well.
“He was swallowed AND his estate.” There is something interesting in this ayah. Not only
was he swallowed, but also his property and estate. Why? There are two chief reasons.
Allah mentioned criticisms of Bani Isra'il as a whole, so those are lessons for our
communities in there as well to collectively take heed from. They are not all bad but there
were both good things and bad things.