Page 30 - The Debased Culture of Superficiality

28 THE DEBASED CULTURE OF SUPERFICIALITY

can be seen in his avarice, overindulgence and from his own
words. Among Qarun’s acquaintances, there were similar
individuals who disregarded Allah, ignored the Afterlife
and concentrated on this world. As revealed in the Qur’an,
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Qarun “. . . went out among his people in his finery . . . .”

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(Surat al-Qasas: 79). Allah tells us about the state of some of
these individuals:
. . . Those who desired the life of this world said, “Oh! If
only we had the same as Qarun has been given! What
immense good fortune he possesses.” (Surat al-Qasas: 79)
From this verse, we learn that these people admired
Qarun. We can tell from their manner that they had a shal-
low way of thinking. We are told in another verse that
devout, Allah-fearing and noble-spirited Muslims behave
differently; they warn such ignorant people and remind
them of the truth:
But those who had been given knowledge said, “Woe to
you! Allah’s reward is better for those who believe and
act rightly. But only the steadfast will obtain it . . . ”
(Surat al-Qasas: 80)
But since superficiality prevents people from thinking
deeply and seriously, these people were unaware of their
own state as well as Qarun’s, right up until Qarun received
from Allah the torment he deserved:
We caused the Earth to swallow up both him and his
house. There was no group to come to his aid, besides
Allah, and he was not someone who is helped. Those
who had longed to take his place the day before woke
up saying, “Allah expands the provision of any of His