Episode 2
Episode 2: Arrogance — 'I Was Only Given It Because of My Knowledge'
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Instead of accepting the counsel, Qarun rejected it arrogantly. He regarded his wealth as purely the fruit of his own cleverness and effort, not a gift of Allah to be thanked. Allah said, "He said, 'I was only given it because of knowledge I have.'…" (Qur'an 28:78). This is a dangerous disease of the heart: to feel that every blessing is the fruit of one's own brilliance, and so to forget the Giver. Yet how many stronger and wealthier than him Allah had destroyed for the same arrogance. Allah rebuked: "…Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked" (Qur'an 28:78). Knowledge and effort are indeed means, but true success remains a favor of Allah. Qarun erred because he made his knowledge a reason to boast, rather than a path to gratitude. Reflection: a blessing not attributed to Allah breeds arrogance, and arrogance is the door to ruin. A wise believer grows more humble as his blessings increase, because he knows they are a trust for which he will be held accountable. Source & Note: evidence from the Qur'an, 28:78. Qarun's words "innama utituhu 'ala 'ilmin 'indi" ("I was only given it because of knowledge I have") are the verse's own text depicting the core of his arrogance.
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Episode 3: Flaunting Luxury and the Two Attitudes of People