President Donald Trump, could he be a present day Corah? The Muslim Times has the best collection of articles about the holy Quran
Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
Who was Corah and what is his Quranic story? Without any editorializing, I want to simply quote the Quranic description, from the translation by Muhammad Abdel Haleem, which has been published by the Oxford University Press:
Corah was one of Moses’ people, but he oppressed them. We had given him such treasures that even their keys would have weighed down a whole company of strong men. His people said to him, ‘Do not gloat, for God does not like people who gloat. Seek the life to come by means of what God has granted you, but do not neglect your rightful share in this world. Do good to others as God has done good to you. Do not seek to spread corruption in the land, for God does not love those who do this,’ but he answered, ‘This wealth was given to me on account of the knowledge I possess.’
Did he not know that God had destroyed many generations before him, who had greater power than him and built up greater wealth? The guilty will not be questioned about their sins. He went out among his people in all his pomp, and those whose aim was the life of this world said, ‘If only we had been given something like what Corah has been given: he really is a very fortunate man,’ but those who were given knowledge said, ‘Alas for you! God’s reward is better for those who believe and do good deeds: only those who are steadfast will attain this.’
We caused the earth to swallow him and his home: he had no army to help him against God, nor could he defend himself. The next day, those who had, the day before, wished to be in his place exclaimed, ‘Alas for you, Corah! It is God alone who gives what He will, abundantly or sparingly, to whichever He will of His creatures: if God had not been gracious to us, He would have caused the earth to swallow us too.’ Alas indeed! Those who deny the truth will never prosper.
We grant the Home in the Hereafter to those who do not seek superiority on earth or spread corruption: the happy ending is awarded to those who are mindful of God. Whoever comes before God with a good deed will receive a better reward; whoever comes with an evil deed will be punished only for what he has done. (Al Quran 28:75-84)
I don’t see, how I can add anything to this beautiful narration. I just want to leave you with the question, does President Trump with his life history and worldly success, perfectly fit the character of Corah, as highlighted in the holy Quran?
If yes, would he grow in compassion, humility and justice and escape the end that met Corah? We will have to wait and see!
Suggested Reading
Evolution of Empathy
Two Hundred Verses about Compassionate Living in the Quran
A Message of Compassion and Love from the Holy Bible
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Islam!
Abou Ben Adhem, A Compassionate Man
Categories: America, American History, Americas, materialism, Qur'an, Quran, The Muslim Times, USA
Reblogged this on Progressive Islam. and commented:
This is from progressive View from my interpretation of Islam or Verses of God:
Quote-I don’t see, how I can add anything to this beautiful narration. I just want to leave you with the question, does President Trump with his life history and worldly success, perfectly fit the character of Corah, as highlighted in the holy Quran?==
THE REAL SUCCESS FROM AL QURAN.
Most clerics think that the real success is those who neglet or ignore the worldly success or worldly paradise but those who strive to seek the NEXT paradise. This teaching is wrong and mislead People to poverty or unproductive life as we see all Islamic countries.
The real success is those who succeed in this world and will be rewarded the Paradise in the Next life.
THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IS TO GET TWO PARADISES.
And there are men who say: “Our Lord! Give us good in this world (Paradise ) and good in the Hereafter(paradise) and defend us from the torment of the Fire!”QS 2;201.
Those who have believed and obey all Allah’s laws. (63) For them there is the good news in the worldly life (Heavent) and in the Hereafter Heavent: there is no change in the words of Allah.That is the great achievement. QS 10;63-64.
Everyone has to pursue the good life, happiness, and prosperity on earth, not only for himself, but for the next generation, and society. In order to be successful, every one has to work hard and sweat. On the other word, Islamic teaching encourage people to live in wealth or prosperity.
Those who seek a good life in this world and ignore a good life in Hereafter, he/she is a loser, like the life of Fir’aun (Pharoh). He was a King and the richest in the world, because he did not believe in God, he will cast to Hell in Hereafter.
The Extremist Wahhabi (ISIS, Taliban etc) ignore/ neglect to promote and to strength economy, they concentrate the life of Hereafter.
God say: You fool!
You fool, Do you want to be shown that faith without works is dead or useless.James 2:20,
They spend most their time to seek God by praying many times at mosque, but they neglect or ignore to worldly activity, or to strengthen their economy and create jobs for community. In order people can live in wealth or prosperity. That is why we see most extremist Muslim live in poverty. Very sad.
Those who seek a good life in Hereafter, but ignore a good life in this world, he is deceived by Satan. In order to get a good life in Hereafter, he should get first a good life in this world.
And surely, We gave you authority on the earth and appointed for you therein provisions (for your life). Little thanks do you give. (It means that few people enter God’s Heaven or Paradise.) Q. 7;10.
These kind of verses should be thought to next generation, grandchildren at home and schools.
May all of you will be inspired by the wisdom of Almighty Allah, ameen.
For You from My Heart.
All those who read shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; O Allah, be my witness, that I have conveyed your message to your people.
Was Salam–With My love❤️
Regarding US President
He is a successeful man in the this world he life in paradise now—he is President of USA too— and he believe in Creator . This is a most important believing in God almighty.
God will judge his good deeds abd bad deeds later—
Conversely in Al Quran— The King Of Egypt—Firoun—he was King and lived in Luxurious or wealth. Because he did not believe in Crestor God will cast him to Hell for sure.
What a beautiful story. Of course it has many counterparts in other religious texts including the Christian and Jewish pentateuch.
I happen to agree with you about Trump but I hardly think the man is unique. Most of the world seeks mammon at the expense of their soul but it is very difficult not to.
I think perhaps what you are getting at is the “love of money”. Which is indeed unenviable. Sadly of course we all have to pay the rent. But in doing so most of us manage to avoid vulgarity, greed and ostentation.