He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام then addressed the gathering and said, ‘The one who is Qaroon’s companion should remain with him and the one who is my companion should leave Qaroon.’ Consequently, all of Bani Israel left Qaroon except for two individuals. Then Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said to the earth, ‘O earth! Seize him.’ Thus, Qaroon sank into the ground up to his knees, then he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام once again said the same and he sank into the ground up to his waist.

Seeing this, Qaroon began to cry and plead whilst mentioning the sake of their close relationship and family ties, but he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام did not pay any attention to him, to the extent that he completely sank into the earth.

The two individuals who were with Qaroon began to say to the people, ‘Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام has caused Qaroon to sink into the earth so that he can take his property and treasures.’ Thus, Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام made the following Du’a to Allah Almighty, ‘May the property and wealth of Qaroon sink into the earth also.’ Hence, the house of Qaroon, which was made out of gold, and his wealth all sank into the earth.

(Tafseer-e-Saawi, Part 20, Surah Al-Qasas, under the verse 81, vol. 4, p. 1546, summarised)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                            صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! We learn that an abundance of worldly prosperity, wealth and luxury is not a sign of Allah Almighty’s pleasure, for if this was the case, then Qaroon would have a very high status in the Court of Allah Almighty.

We also learn that when a person falls prey to the greed of wealth, he destroys his Hereafter and earns the displeasure of Allah Almighty. In the end, he becomes an example for the people in the world due to divine punishment.

Remember! Wealth is a bounty of Allah Almighty, but utilising it correctly is to spend it on those works which earn the pleasure of Allah Almighty, and while giving due Zakah upon it, one should continue to ask for the true wealth (piety, righteousness, fear of Allah Almighty and devotion for the Prophet), for possessing wealth and authority is not a means of superiority.

Pharaoh and Namrood were also individuals of wealth and authority, but their wealth made them worthy of eternal damnation. Superiority lies in Allah