“Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him those who were stronger in might than he and were more numerous in multitude? The wicked are not asked about their acts of sin.”
(Al Qur’ān 28:78)
The pronoun ‘he’ in the ayah refers to Qārūn, whom the Bible and the Talmud call Korah. Although he was a cousin of Moses, he had allied himself with Pharaoh and had become one of his close and trusted courtiers. His story, as related in the Bible, makes no mention of his wealth. But according to rabbinical and even Israelite traditions, he was very wealthy.
Qārūn went out proudly claiming to be knowledgeable, wise and well-informed. He also thought very highly of himself. Did he not know that there had been people before him with much more wealth and much greater power, and yet God had destroyed them? If it were only people’s abilities, knowledge, power and skill which brought about their rise and advancement, how is it they were severely punished despite those seeming assets and were eventually done away with? If worldly positions were any measure of God’s pleasure and approval, why were those people subjected to such a grievous fate?
The wicked have always claimed to be good. They never admit to any evil. Their punishment does not depend on their admission that they were wicked. This ayah warns people of Pharaonic nature against accumulating wealth irrespective of Divine commandment to keep it rolling in society. It also reminds them that God is Almighty who can punish them.