Book Name:Blessings of Zakat
Qārūn was the son of Yas-har, who was the uncle of Sayyiduna Mūsā عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. Allah Almighty blessed him with enormous wealth; 40 such people who were stronger than normal men used to lift the keys of his treasures. In verse 76 of Surah Al-Qasas, part 20, Allah Almighty has stated:
وَ اٰتَیْنٰهُ مِنَ الْكُنُوْزِ مَاۤ اِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهٗ لَتَنُوْٓاُ بِالْعُصْبَةِ اُولِی الْقُوَّةِۗ-
And We had granted him so much treasure that its keys were certainly burdensome for a group of strong individuals.[1]
When Allah Almighty revealed the commandment of Zakat to Banī Isrāˈīl, Qārūn went to Sayyiduna Mūsāعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and agreed that he would pay one dinar for every one thousand dinars, one dirham for every one thousand dirhams, one goat for every one thousand goats, and similarly he would pay 1/1000th as Zakat out of his other belongings as well. When he calculated his wealth and possessions for Zakat, he found that he had to take out a huge amount of wealth. His nafs did not want him to give away so much wealth. So, he gathered Banī Isrāˈīl and said: “You have obeyed every order of Mūsā (عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام). Now, he wants to take your wealth. What do you say?”
They said: “You are our elder; you can order us to do whatever you want.”
Qārūn then said: “Go to so-and-so woman of bad character, pay her money and give her the task of placing accusations upon Mūsā عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. When this happens, Banī Isrāˈīl will stop following him.”
Qārūn made the woman agree to slander and place false accusations upon Sayyiduna Mūsāعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام in exchange for one thousand dirhams and one thousand dinars.
The next day, Qārūn gathered Banī Isrāˈīl. Together, they went to Sayyiduna Mūsāعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and said: “Banī Isrāˈīl are waiting for you; give them guidance and advice.” Whilst Sayyiduna Mūsāعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام offered them counsel and