Sūratu’l-Qasas [The Narrative]:(28:76).Part1

إِنَّ قَارُونَ كَانَ مِن قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ فَبَغَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ

Qārūn (Korah) was one of Moses’ people, but he betrayed and oppressed them. (Al-Qasas 28:76)

It is written in some commentaries on the Qur’ān based on reports from God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, his Companions, and earliest scholars that Korah and Moses were cousins. This assertion may have been due to efforts to find a relationship between them in order to emphasize that although Korah was very close to Moses, he could not benefit from him. Actually, neither in the Qur’ān nor in the Sunnah is there a clear reference to this assertion. Therefore, we may consider the following points regarding the verse above:

1. Korah was possibly one from among the Children of Israel, because of which the Qur’ān says that Korah was one of Moses’ people. Or Korah was one from among those whom Moses, upon him be peace, called to his Message. Like Sāmirī (the Samaritan), Moses, upon him be peace, gave him special importance and desired his conversion. But Korah was able neither to take advantage of this close concern nor to use his wealth in the cause of gaining Paradise.

The verse continues:

We had granted him (Korah) such great treasures that their very keys alone were too heavy a burden for a company of strong people. (Al-Qasas 28:76)

We should point out that the Qur’ān is absolutely free of any lies or exaggeration, which is an implicit lie. Therefore, in the light of this Qur’anic expression we can guess the amount of Korah’s wealth, whose keys were too heavy for a company of strong people to carry.

2. The treasures ascribed to Korah in our day fill museums.

3. As for Korah’s attitude in the face the treasures that were granted to him, he became spoiled, behaved insolently, and exulted in his treasures. Therefore, some among his people warned him:

Do not exult in your wealth; surely, God does not love those who exult. (Al-Qasas 28:76)

However, Korah not only remained indifferent to this warning but also persisted in his deviance and said:

All this has been given to me only by virtue of a certain knowledge that I have. (Al-Qasas 28:78)