Faiyum, Egypt
Coordinates: 29.405556, 30.418056
Near Qaroon lake, an ancient building called Qasr Qaroon, or Qaroon’s Mansion, is believed to be the house that Qaroon lived in as described in the Quran.
Underneath the building some ancient tunnels have been found that lead to the adjacent village.
Residents believe there are other tunnels that reach all the way to Alexandria and maybe even Memphis, the ancient Egyptian capital.
Doubts about the site
Historians have indicated that Qasr Qaroon and Qaroon lake has nothing to do with the historical Qaroon. Nor is there anything that proves that present day Qasr Qaroon was the location where Qaroon lived.
Some say this was one of the palace owned by Pharaoh
Qaroon – His Actions and Destruction (Narrated by Ibn Kathir)
Hz. Musa عليه اسلام began to face a difficult situation. He had to confront Firawn’s anger and his plots, while at the same time he had to deal with the mutiny of his people. In the midst of all this, Qaroon moved.
Qaroon was one of Hz. Musa’s عليه اسلام people. He was very rich and lived in a magnificent mansion. He wore only the most expensive clothes. Numerous slaves waited on him and he indulged in every known luxury. His enormous wealth made him arrogant. Qaroon treated the poor with contempt and told them that their poverty was due to their lack of intelligence.
He believed that what he owned was due to his own cleverness and business ability. Hz. Musa عليه اسلام reminded Qaroon to pay alms (zakat) on his wealth, a portion of which was rightfully due to the poor. Alms are compulsory upon all the believers.
Qaroon was annoyed by this advice and told Hz. Musa عليه اسلام that his being wealthy was proof that he was favored by Allah, Who approved of his life-style and increased his wealth daily. Hz. Musa عليه اسلام argued with him and warned him of the result of his wicked thoughts.
When Qaroon did calculate the alms due on his wealth, he was shocked at the large amount he had to part with. He not only refused to give alms, but spread a rumor that Hz. Musa عليه اسلام had invented the law of zakat for his own gain. He even bribed the people to oppose Hz. Musa عليه اسلام and to spread wicked rumors about him. Allah warned Hz. Musa عليه اسلام of Qaroon’s plot. Hz. Musa عليه اسلام appealed to Allah to punish him for his stinginess and for defying His laws.
Allah’s anger fell on Qaroon. The earth opened up and swallowed him, his mansion and all his wealth, as if he had never existed.
Qaroon, who was in the habit of counting and recounting his riches, had also been buried along with his riches.
This made the people realize that he was not to be envied but pitied for his lack of faith in Allah.
Temple
One of the most interesting aspects of the temple is that its roof is still in place, offering one a sense of the atmosphere that once prevailed.
The interior of the temple is a labyrinth of rooms, stairways, corridors, cellars, tunnels and upper rooms of all sizes and at different levels – six stories in total, three underground and three above it.
Specifically, there are fourteen rooms on either side of central corridor that lead to three chapels. There is a stairway that leads you to the roof.
It is said that every year at 21 December, the sunrise illuminates the sanctuary of the temple.
While the temple looks small from outside, it is really big from inside. Half of the temple was buried under sand, and thus was partly preserved.
Know This
It’s very close to the city and doesn’t need much time to reach there.
Don’t forget to go upstairs and check out the drawing on the wall. Also, you should watch your steps. Because apparently some places in the temple is really dark. So just watch your steps.
