Zeki Saritoprak

The Story of Qarun (Korah) in the Qur’an and Its Importance for Our Times

In this chapter, Saritoprak examines one of the major figures of the Qur’an known for the misuse of his wealth, Qarun. The Qur’an mentions that Qarun lived in the time of Moses and was so rich that only a group of powerful men could carry the keys to his treasures. Based on this story, Saritoprak explores how both wealth and poverty can be ways of testing human beings. He gives a special emphasis to the relationship between knowledge and wealth, which is an important part of the story in the Qur’an. He ends by discussing the possible implications of this story for our time.

Migration, Feelings of Belonging to a Land, and the Universality of Islam

According to Islamic theology, human beings are natural immigrants and migration is viewed positively in a variety of circumstances. There are many verses in the Qur’an praising those who migrate. Qur’an 2: 218 says, “Those who believed and migrated and struggled in the way of God are those who are hopeful of the mercy of God. God is Forgiving and Merciful.” Another verse says, “Those who have migrated…surely I will forgive their sins” (Qur’an, 3:195). A common element in these verses is the combining of faith and migration. One verse asks those who were persecuted yet did not migrate: “Wasn’t the land of God large enough that you could have migrated?” (Qur’an, 4:97). As part of the same narrative, the Qur’an actually encourages believers to migrate and states that those who chose to migrate when they are oppressed will find success: “Those who are migrating in the way of God will find refuge and prosperity” (Qur’an, 4:100).