59 – Abu Bakr al-Qurashi said: Muhammad ibn Idris narrated to us, Ahmad ibn Abi al-Hawari narrated to us; he said: I heard Abu Sulayman and others say:

Iblis appeared to Qarun. Qarun had already spent forty years on a mountain engaged in worship, surpassing the Children of Israel in devotion. Iblis sent some of his devils against him, but they could not prevail, so he came to him in person and began worshipping alongside him. Qarun would break his fast, whereas Iblis would not; and Iblis displayed forms of worship that Qarun could not endure.

Qarun accordingly humbled himself before him. Iblis then said, “I am satisfied with this, O Qarun: do not attend any funeral of the Children of Israel, nor join their congregational prayer.”

He thus cautioned him against leaving the mountain until he had brought him into the place of worship. People began bringing food up to the two of them.

Iblis then said, “We have accepted this, O Qarun, yet we have become a burden upon the Children of Israel.” Qarun asked, “What do you advise?” He replied, “Let us work one day and devote the remainder of the week to worship.” Qarun agreed.

Later he said to him, “We are also content not to give charity or perform any acts of kindness.” Qarun asked, “Then what do you counsel?” He answered, “We shall earn a living for one day and worship the next.” When Qarun adopted that course, Iblis withdrew from him and left him, and the worldly life was opened up for Qarun.

We seek refuge in Allah from Satan and from his evil.