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Qarun (Korah) in the Quran: Who was he? Context & purpose of mentioning him

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N. Truth Seeker
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« on: August 28, 2011, 04:55:05 am »

 


BismEm


What an accurate example Allah has cited.  Even today many people admire the rich and famous or anyone wealthy despite their lack of faith and morals with tons of love and affection simply because of their worldly or materialistic possessions, reputation and glamorous image.  The admirers of the rich and famous are apparently much too shallow to reflect that their worldly possessions and gains are temporary, and as they have made no preparations for acquiring Maghfarat in the Hereafter, they need to be pitied rather than envied.

Now, let's read what the Noble Quran says about Korah and the reference of Korah's story with that of 7th century Arabia when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came with the Final Message of Allah Almighty.

"Now Korah was of Moses' folk, but he oppressed them; and We gave him so much treasure that the stores thereof would verily have been a burden for a troop of mighty men. When his own folk said unto him: Exult not; lo! Allah loveth not the exultant;"  28:76 Surah Al-Qasas.

The Arabic of Korah is Qarun (قَارُونَ) .   He is called "Korah" in the altered Bible and Talmud.  According to the Bible (Exodus), Korah is said to be the first cousin of Prophet Moses.  It says that the fathers of Prophet Moses and Korah were biological brothers.  However, we cannot confirm these details because the Quran does not.  As we can read in the above Verse 28:76, Allah only mentions that "Korah was of Moses' folk" which is a very broad expression.  It could mean that Korah was Moses' cousin or some relative or simply a Hebrew or Israelite like Moses.  Only Allah knows best.

From the contents of the Quran we can also confirm that Korah was a very wealthy man, proud and haughty who lived during the time of Prophet Moses (pbuh).  The ordinary people were charmed by his riches as expressed in Verse 28:79 quoted below:

"Then went he forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the life of the world said: Ah, would that we had the like of what hath been given unto Korah! Lo! he is lord of rare good fortune." 

The Quran also says about Korah in Verse 40:23-24, Surah Al-Mumin as follows:

"We sent Moses to Pharaoh and Haman and Korah with Our Signs Unto Pharaoh and Haman and Korah, but they said: A lying sorcerer!"

Also in Verse 29:39, Surah Al-Ankabut:

"And Korah, Pharaoh and Haman! Moses came unto them with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), but they were boastful in the land. And they were not winners (in the race)."

The above verses clearly indicate that Korah, inspite of being an Israelite, was much the same as Pharaoh and Haman in arrogance and stubbornness rejecting the Message of Prophet Moses, and like Pharaoh and Haman, Korah too was not successful.

"So We took each one in his sin; of them was he on whom We sent a hurricane, and of them was he who was overtaken by the (Awful) Cry, and of them was he whom We caused the earth to swallow, and of them was he whom We drowned. It was not for Allah to wrong them, but they wronged themselves."  (29:40)  Surah Al-Ankabut.

In Verse 28:76 of Surah Al-Qasas quoted at the beginning of this post, there's a subtle analogy between Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his community and Prophet Moses (pbuh) and his community.  The majority of both communities had similar materialistic mindsets.

Korah was a rich man in the society he lived during the time of Prophet Moses.  Coming to the time of Prophet Muhammad, there were many rich people in Makkah who feared that the Prophet's Message would hurt the city's economy.  The money-lenders and capitalists of Makkah were as powerful and influential as Korah was in his time.  For them the importance and usefulness of every aspect of life was linked with riches, wealth and materialism.  Any suggestion, occurrence or institution they perceived might hurt or impair the financial aspect was considered unacceptable.  How similar as of today!

Many common people of 6th century Makkah were filled with admiration and were carried away by the comfort, riches and glamor of the tycoons of their time.  They viewed these bigwigs with awe and envy and earnestly desired if they could also attain similar earthly success.  In an atmosphere such as this, these people felt that if they accepted the Message of Monotheism (Tawheed) as conveyed to them by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), it might change the economic status of Makkah by attracting less traders, money lenders and other businessmen which might subsequently prove financially disastrous for Quraysh.  They never for once reflected on the blessings of Allah Almighty.

"Have they not seen that We have made it a secure sanctuary, while men are being snatched away from all around them" (29:67).

The situation and affect of the Message of Prophet Moses (pbuh) on Korah and the rest of his people were much the same as with the people of Makkah during the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

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Ruhi_Rose
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« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2011, 02:04:24 am »



Ah!  you hit the nail on the head, brother  Cheesy    This problem of envying those loaded with dough has been an illness of the human mind from day one of this planet and will remain so till the Last Day. 

You have explained the obvious similarity between the society of the time of Prophet Moses with the one at the time of Prophet Muhammad very succinctly.

And yes, I also agree that Qaroon's (Korah) exact relationship with Prophet Moses must be left open as only Allah would know it best.  I think when the Quran says that Korah was of Moses' folk, it might most likely mean that he was a Hebrew like Moses.  But I repeat, only Allah knows best.
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« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2011, 02:21:33 am »



Thanks brother TS.  So true and nicely articulated.   MashAllah.
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« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2020, 09:21:57 pm »



Salams dear all.  I was reading Surah Al Qasas  this afternoon and came across the Verse on Korah.  I then began thinking if we have covered this topic at MV.  Yes we did Smiley  Thanks brother TS.  

“Verily Korah was of the people of Moses, but he oppressed them; and We had given him of the treasures so much that its keys would have been a burden to a company of men endowed with strength. Once his people said to him: ‘Do not exult, for Allah does not love the exultant’.”  28:76 Al-Qasas.

So, from evidences in the Noble Quran, we can confirm that Prophet Moses (pbuh) struggled against the opposition of four oppressive misleaders - Pharaoh, Korah, Haman and As-Samiri.   Korah was a manifestation of wealth, Haman was a senior mason and Samiri was an epitome of deceit.   

The aspect on which I would like to get your opinion is:
As the Noble Quran confirms that Korah was of Moses' people, that refers to him being a Hebrew, right?  Apparently, despite belonging to the social category that was marginalized during the reign of the Pharaohs in Egypt, Korah still managed to carve a social status for himself that was more privileged than the common Hebrews.  How might this have happened?  Could he have received special favors from Pharaoh despite being a Hebrew?  Was he a social climber pandering for favor from the powerful by ditching his own tribe?  I know these points cannot be confirmed as the Quran does not mention such details.  Just looking for an opinion that might be a possibility. 

Furthermore, who precisely was he?  In what capacity did he get so wealthy while other people of Prophet Moses' tribe were facing oppression? 

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« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2020, 09:29:55 pm »



Walaikum As-Salaam dear sister Heba.    




Was he a social climber pandering for favor from the powerful by ditching his own tribe?     


In my opinion this might have been the case.  Such human mindset isn't uncommon even nowadays, towing the powerful to curry favors and if they succeed they sell their principles for the privileges they can grab. 

As you would agree, it isn't possible to confirm in what capacity he acquired social success.  The Noble Quran does not say it. 

The Jewish man-written sources are much too unreliable, complicated and contradictory. One of the Jewish sources called Aggadah says Korah had been Pharoah's treasurer in Egypt where he got the opportunity to amass plenty of wealth, probably hinting at corruption.  According to the same source, his wife also encouraged him to oppose Prophet Moses and Korah tried to make Moses appear ridiculous in the eyes of the people.   This is possible but only Allah would know about such details.

Another source, the heavily tainted Talmud, says a different story.  It says Korah was Prophet Moses' cousin and was very "handsome" who worked as a goldsmith.   It also mentions that after Prophet Moses returned with the Divine Commandments, Korah was one of the persons whom he ordered to destroy the golden calf, implying that Korah was present during the Exodus.  It doesn't say how Korah got so rich ... whether by robbing money as a treasurer or working as a successful goldsmith?  All of these sources are full of contradictions and counter-statements.  Only The Almighty has the final truth. 

Implying that Korah was present in the Exodus is blatantly wrong.  The Noble Quran confirms in Verse 28:81, "So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling-place." This could have been an earthquake or a hurricane, and the term "dwelling place" is obviously his home which was in Egypt.   The Verse clearly alludes to his death prior to the Exodus. 

The reason Allah has not mentioned too many details in the Quran is because these aren't necessary.  It's only necessary to inform that a person of Prophet Moses' tribe or ethnicity in Egypt did not cooperate with him, getting deviated with pride and arrogance because he was very wealthy, and eventually he was destroyed.  That much is confirmed in the Quran which all we need to know and accept. 

 
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« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2020, 09:59:56 pm »



Huge thanks dear sis Smiley    A rational clarification of where things stand.

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« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2020, 02:55:28 pm »






Another source, the heavily tainted Talmud, says a different story.  It says Korah was Prophet Moses' cousin and was very "handsome" who worked as a goldsmith.   It also mentions that after Prophet Moses returned with the Divine Commandments, Korah was one of the persons whom he ordered to destroy the golden calf, implying that Korah was present during the Exodus.   ......   

Easy to discern, Talmud is trying to paint Korah as a nice guy.  Exactly as they do in many new Sunni hadiths forged to the core, where dozens of bad people are displayed as good ones.





Implying that Korah was present in the Exodus is blatantly wrong.  The Noble Quran confirms in Verse 28:81, "So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling-place." This could have been an earthquake or a hurricane, and the term "dwelling place" is obviously his home which was in Egypt.   The Verse clearly alludes to his death prior to the Exodus. 

Exactly sister ..
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« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2020, 02:44:18 am »

 

BismEm

"And Korah, Pharaoh and Haman! Moses came unto them with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), but they were boastful in the land. And they were not winners (in the race)."  29:39 (Al-Ankabut)

"So We took each one in his sin; of them was he on whom We sent a hurricane, and of them was he who was overtaken by the (Awful) Cry, and of them was he whom We caused the earth to swallow, and of them was he whom We drowned. It was not for Allah to wrong them, but they wronged themselves."  29:40 (Al-Ankabut).


Okay folks, salams to all.   I want to learn something here.  In Verse 29:39, The Almighty mentions of Korah, Pharaoh and Haman.  Reading their punishments in Verse 29:40, does it go respectively in the order stated?  There are four retributions mentioned.
  
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« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2020, 02:54:16 am »



Walaikum As Salam sis. 

No, it's not supposed to be in the order mentioned.   Verse 29:40 is an assertion of the plight to wrong doers of the entire region.  If you refer to Surah Al-Ankabut, starting from Verse 14, this Chapter speaks of the fate of the people of Noah, Abraham, Lot, Shueyb of Midian, Aad and Samood, and also Korah, Pharaoh and Haman.  The different retributions stated in the 40th Verse of Surah Al-Ankabut were to all of these communities who disobeyed Allah even after His messengers warned them.

I would think, the hurricane refers to the punishment of the people of Aad. 

"the awful cry" (some translators have interpreted it as a rumbling noise, might be an earthquake or storm with lightning) possibly refers to the community of Samood or Shueyb or perhaps both communities. 

The person swallowed by the earth was definitely Korah. 

Those drowned were the community of Noah, Pharaoh and his army.

All of these individuals and nations were involved in shirk, stubbornness, arrogance and immorality.  They considered their false deities to be their helpers.   But historical events prove their thoughts and ideas to be baseless and useless when their destruction was decreed by Allah Almighty.  The Owner of power is Allah only.  He alone controls the entire universe and it's His Wisdom that designs the system which runs every part of the universe.

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« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2020, 02:59:37 am »



Oh!  I see.  Big thanks sis Heba.  I get it clearly now.  I forgot to focus on the preceding Verses.  Thanks again sis.  Allah bless.
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