The Bribe of Qarun

Qarun was feeling quite hesitant about whether or not he should ask the angel now about his treasures and wealth or postpone the question until he enters Saqar.

 

The angel could read his mind and so he approached him saying, "You are worried about your treasures and you want to know where they have gone. Do not worry! They are not lost; they are all in Saqar being heated in the fire of Hell waiting for you to brand your forehead, your flank and your back every day."

 

Qarun said, "Do not misunderstand me. I did not want them for myself. I was only thinking of giving them as a gift to the angels to express my admiration or to do something good in general."

 

The angel said, "I have not laughed since Hell-tire was created and had it not been for this your words would have made me laugh heartily. Let me tell you one thing, angels do not accept gifts or better say they do not accept bribes and your suggestion is very humorous. It proves that you are still living with the same thoughts you had in life, where you used to buy anything you desired with your money. Anyway we do not want to waste time in talking nonsense for it is now the time to tell you about Saqar."

 

Almighty Allah describes Saqar , (therefore remind (men) in case the reminder profits (them). The reminder will be received by him who fears (Allah). But it will be avoided by the wretched wowho will enter the great Fire and made to taste its burning. Wherein he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).آ»

 

This great Fire mentioned in the verse is Saqar and it spares no sinner nor leaves anything unburned. The keepers of this great Fire are nineteen angels and its guardian is an angel called Khazin.

 

When the polytheists of Makkah heard these verses, they burst out in sarcastic laughter from the number of angels overseeing Hell-fire.

 

One of them said, "Nineteen angels! We shall not need so many knights or valiant warriors to defeat them."

 

Of course these words were merely the outcome of ignorance because had those arrogant polytheists known the truth of this Fire that is never satisfied and the truth of those angels who derive their power directly from the Almighty, they would never have uttered these words.