The Proud Rich Man Swallowed by the Earth
قارون
Qarun was a man of the people of Musa whom God had showered with immense riches. But instead of being grateful, he became proud and despised the believers. His end was terrible: God made the earth swallow Qarun and his dwelling.
Qarun possessed treasures so vast that the keys alone to his coffers were a heavy burden for a group of strong men. This fortune made him arrogant. The wise men of his people warned him: do not be insolent, seek through your goods the abode of the Hereafter, do good as God has done good to you — but he rejected their counsel, claiming to owe his wealth only to his own knowledge.
One day, he paraded before his people in all his splendour. Those who loved this life envied him. But those to whom God had given knowledge reminded them that God's reward is better for one who believes and does good.
The punishment came: at God's command, the earth opened and swallowed Qarun and his house. No power could save him. And those very ones who had envied him the day before understood that it is God who gives and withholds goods to whom He wills.
Qarun teaches that wealth is a trial, not a proof of merit. Attributed to his own genius alone, forgetting the One who gives it, it leads to perdition. Gratitude and humility are worth more than all the treasures.
إِنَّ قَارُونَ كَانَ مِن قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ فَبَغَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْكُنُوزِ مَا إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُ لَتَنُوءُ بِالْعُصْبَةِ أُولِي الْقُوَّةِ
Coré, qui appartenait au peuple de Moïse, afficha devant eux une fierté démesurée. Nous lui avions accordé tant de trésors que les seules clés en étaient lourdes à porter pour un groupe d’hommes vigoureux. Certains, parmi son peuple, lui dirent : « Ne te montre pas si arrogant, Allah n’aime pas les êtres insolents.
28:76
فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِ وَبِدَارِهِ الْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُ مِن فِئَةٍ يَنصُرُونَهُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُنتَصِرِينَ
Sur Notre ordre, Coré et sa demeure furent engloutis par la terre. Aucun clan ne put le préserver des rigueurs d’Allah dont il ne put lui-même se protéger.
28:81