Estimates vary regarding the size and fate of Qaroon’s wealth; However, they all agree on the majesty of that wealth, which Allah, The Almighty, mentioned in the Holy Quran. For example, the keys to his treasures would have been too heavy for even a group of strong men to carry, and were so many that they used to be carried on sixty mules.
It is said that Qaroon was the cousin of Prophet Musa (PBUH), and while the first was given wealth, power, and influence; Musa (PBUH) was given the prophecy, and his brother Haroon was a rabbi. These things infuriated Qaroon and made him jealous; thus, he antagonised Musa (PBUH) and refused to follow him and believe in his message.
It was also said that Qaroon was able to make his fortune thanks to his knowledge of the secrets of chemistry, which enabled him to convert copper, or soil in other accounts, into gold in large quantities, which he used to sell to others. However, Qaroon’s wealth was not limited to gold only, but he also owned many palaces, horses and goods. The stories say that his palace was decorated with gold and jewels, and that he enjoyed an extravagant life. Despite all this wealth that Allah, The Almighty, has bestowed upon him, he was an unbeliever and denied the grace of Allah, The Almighty, upon him. Rather, he attributed all these riches and blessings to his talent and knowledge, and he did not ascribe the grace to Allah, The Almighty, who granted him this knowledge.
Qaroon was miserly, and never helped anyone around him, but hoarded gold and jewels merely for himself, and he did not support his people during their poverty and need. One day, Qaroon went out to his people with all his adornment and splendor, escorted by a crowd of his servants and his entourage with clothes and a carriage adorned with gold and jewels, and with a behavior full of arrogance and vanity. People were amazed at the greatness and extravagance of his appearance, and some of them wished that Allah, The Almighty, would grant them what he had given to Qaroon in terms of prestige, wealth, and gold. However, a small minority of wise people rejected this approach and advised their people to accept what Allah, The Almighty, had ordained for them, especially since the wealth that Qaroon possesses is nothing but a mere test that He wanted to employ to see how Qaroon will utilise.
Interpretations of the Holy Quran include several stories about the incident which led to Qaroon's death, when Allah, The Almighty, caused the earth to swallow him up with his palaces and possessions. Among the most popular interpretations, is that Allah, The Almighty, imposed Zakat on Musa (PBUH) and his followers, Qaroon accepted to pay one Dinar for each 1000 Dinars and one goat for each 1000 goats he owns. However, Qaroon found out that he would have to pay a large sum of his wealth. So, to avoid accusing him of being miserly, he intended to incite people to rebel against Musa (PBUH), by falsely accusing him of an event that impugn the Prophet’s honor. However, Allah, The Almighty, revealed the conspiracy to people, and they turned away from Qaroon and mobilised in favour of Musa (PBUH), who prostrated all-appreciative of Allah's blessing, and complained about Qaroon. Musa (PBUH) asked Allah, The Almighty, to stand by him, and Allah eclipsed the land that swallowed up Qaroon and his possession, as if they never existed before, in aid of His Prophet and to warn the Prophet’s followers who wished to have Qaroon's riches and wealth, and let them know that the real treasure is Alla’s pleasure; Otherwise, everything is destined to vanish at any moment.
