Who was Qarun or Korah?
Qarun who has been called Korah in the Bible and Talmud was a first cousin of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him). According to Exodus, fathers of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and Korah were real brothers.
His story, life style and tragic ending is mentioned in the Quran and other scriptures including the Bible and Talmud. He was not only extremely rich but also tyrannical and genocidal to Israelites, his own people. He thus became an associate of the genocidal king, the Pharaoh of Egypt.
Qaroon (Korah) - the Arrogant, the Swallowed One
Korah - A Genocidal Rebel
According to the Holy Quran, Korah had joined with the genocidal Pharaoh in spite of being an Israelite and become one of his favorites; so much so that one of the two ring leaders of opposition to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) after Pharaoh was this same Korah.
Allah, the One and Only God says in the Quran: “We sent Moses to Pharaoh and Haman and Korah with Our signs and a manifest authority, but they said: He is a sorcerer, a liar.” (The Quran, Chapter 40, verses 23-24)
From this it follows that Korah had rebelled against his own people and became a supporter of the hostile forces which were bent upon wiping out the Israelites. On account of this rebellion against his own people he had attained a high place with Pharaoh. The two persons, besides Pharaoh, to whom Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) had been sent were Pharaoh’s minister Haman, and this Israelite capitalist, Korah. All other chiefs and couriers were of inferior status, who are not worth mentioning. The same position of Korah has been alluded to in (The Holy Quran, chapter 29, verse 39).
Korah, the Opulent & Arrogant
Korah was a magnate, a tycoon of his time.
According to the Jewish traditions, Korah possessed immense wealth, so much so that three hundred mules were required just to carry the keys of his treasures.
According to the Quran, a band of strong men were needed to carry just the keys of his treasures. It was a great favor from God, but he became arrogant and a rebel.
The conversation between the two types of people, the ones who wished be like Korah and the others is given in the Quran as follows:
Those who desired just the worldly life said, "Oh, would that we had like what was given to Korah. Indeed, he is one of great fortune."
But those who had been given true understanding and knowledge by God said, "Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."
Earth Swallows Korah Deap Down Forever
Ultimate Ending of Korah is mentioned in the Quran as follows:
And We (Allah) caused the earth to swallow him and his home. And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah, nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves. (The Quran, 28:81)
And those who had wished for his position the previous day began to say, "Oh, how Allah extends provision to whom He wills of His servants and restricts it! If not that Allah had conferred favor on us, He would have caused it to swallow us. Oh, how the disbelievers do not succeed!"
That home of the Hereafter We (Allah) assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous. Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have better than it; and whoever comes with an evil deed - then those who did evil deeds will not be recompensed except [as much as] what they used to do. (The Quran, chapter 28, 82-84)
Let us reflect on the Verses of The Quran, chapter 28, 76-84:
And We (Allah, the one and only God) gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, "Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant. (The Quran, 28:76) But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters."
He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have."
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.
So he came out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said, "Oh, would that we had like what was given to Qarun. Indeed, he is one of great fortune."
But those who had been given knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."
And We (Allah) caused the earth to swallow him and his home. And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah, nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves.
And those who had wished for his position the previous day began to say, "Oh, how Allah extends provision to whom He wills of His servants and restricts it! If not that Allah had conferred favor on us, He would have caused it to swallow us. Oh, how the disbelievers do not succeed!"
That home of the Hereafter We (Allah) assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous. Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have better than it; and whoever comes with an evil deed - then those who did evil deeds will not be recompensed except [as much as] what they used to do.
(The Quran, chapter 28, 76-84)
History of mankind
The Holy Quran speaks of the many nations who were destroyed in the past. As is evident from the current state of the world in the 21st century that struggle between good and evil continues and history will repeat itself till it ends on the doomsday.
“And how many a city did We destroy while it was committing wrong - so it is [now] fallen into ruin - and [how many] an abandoned well and [how many] a lofty palace. So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts. (The Holy Quran, chapter 22, verses 45-46)(Al-Hajj [22:45] - Sahih International - Tanzil Quran Navigator )
Let us supplicate
"O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the affliction of the Fire and from the punishment in the Fire, and seek refuge with You from the affliction of the grave, and I seek refuge with You from the affliction of wealth, and I seek refuge with You from the affliction of poverty, and seek refuge with You from the affliction of the Deceitful Messiah, Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal."
(https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6376 )