Download PDF: [S] Shaddaad’s creation of Jannah

The actual founder of the nation of Aad was Aad bin Aus bin Iram bin Nuh. Among the sons of Aad was also the famous person named “Shaddaad”. Shaddaad was considered a King with extreme pomp and power and he also managed to gather all the other Kings around him under his banner.

 

One day, when Shaddaad heard about the news of Jannah from the reports of the Prophets, he decided to also construct his own Jannah on earth. He constructed a massive city and also placed stones made from gold and silver around this city. He constructed pillars made from rubies and sapphire and also made the floors in this fashion. In place of stones or pebbles he placed pearls on the floor and around each house, he had streams of water that ran on diamonds and other precious stones. He planted various types of tree of precious trees around these mansions and in his twisted logic, he had the impression that he had certainly constructed “heaven on earth”.

 

When this city was created, Shaddaad decided to travel to this city with his entire entourage. When he was about to climb the last flight of stairs, a terrible sound appeared from the sky through which Shaddaad and his entire people were destroyed. In this way, he could not even manage to see his so called “Jannah”.

 

In reference to this city, it is mentioned that during the era of Hadrar Ameer Mu’awiyah – may Allah be pleased with him – a person named Hadrat Abdullah bin Qulaabah – may Allah be pleased with him – actually managed to find this lost city while searching for his lost camel which was close to the city of Aden. He noticed that no one was living at this place and he also picked up some of these precious stones and carried it with him.

 

When this news reached Hadrat Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah – may Allah be pleased with him – he called this person and asked him about his entire experience. This person then revealed whatever he had seen at this deserted city. When Hadrat Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah – may Allah be pleased with him – heard about this, he called Hadrat Sayyiduna Ka’ab Ahbaar – may Allah be pleased with him –and asked him whether such a city actually existed and he replied that indeed such a city did exist and it is also mentioned in the Qur’an. He also reported that this city was the creation of Shaddaad bin Aad, however, the Divine Punishment overtook them and everyone in this city were destroyed. He also revealed that in the time of Ameer Mu’awiyah – may Allah be pleased with him – it was foretold that there will be someone with small eyes, short in height and that he will also possess a small spot on his forehead who will discover this lost city while searching for his camel. At that moment, Abdullah bin Qulaabah also entered the court. When Ka’ab Ahbaar saw him, he replied, “By Allah! That person who will eventually discover the city of Shaddaad and his false Jannah will be this person.” (Khazaa’inul Irfaan)

 

In Surah Fajr, verses 6-14, the Qur’an declares:

 

اَلَمْ تَرَ کَیۡفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّکَ بِعَادٍ ﴿۶﴾۪ۙ

“Did you not see how did your Lord deal with (the tribe of) Aad?”

 

In Surah Fajr, verses 7, the Qur’an declares:

 

اِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِ ﴿۷﴾۪ۙ الَّتِیۡ لَمْ یُخْلَقْ مِثْلُہَا فِی الْبِلٰدِ ﴿۸﴾۪ۙ وَ ثَمُوۡدَ الَّذِیۡنَ جَابُوا الصَّخْرَ بِالْوَادِ ﴿۹﴾۪ۙ وَ فِرْعَوْنَ ذِی الْاَوْتَادِ ﴿۱۰﴾۪ۙ الَّذِیۡنَ طَغَوْا فِی الْبِلٰدِ ﴿۱۱﴾۪ۙ فَاَکْثَرُوۡا فِیۡہَا الْفَسَادَ ﴿۱۲﴾۪ۙ فَصَبَّ عَلَیۡہِمْ رَبُّکَ سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ ۚ﴿ۙ۱۳﴾ اِنَّ رَبَّکَ لَبِالْمِرْصَادِ ﴿ؕ۱۴﴾

“The tall giants of Iram? Like whom no one else was born in the cities. And the tribe of Thamud, who hewed rocks in the valley. And with Firaun, who used to crucify. Those who rebelled in the cities, And who then spread a lot of turmoil in them. Therefore your Lord struck them hard with the means of punishment. Indeed nothing is hidden from the sight of your Lord.”

 

Allah Almighty certainly does not like those people or nations who display pride and arrogance. Through this behaviour of these nations and people, there is fitna and fasaad on this earth. This is the reason that over many generations, these people and nations have been destroyed by Allah Almighty and very few signs have been found about their actual existence.

 

Those who were the subjects of Shaddaad were also people who refuted the Prophets and refuted the guidance which came to them and with the result, they were obliterated from the face of the earth. Therefore, people in the present age should learn a lesson from these incidents and what is the final outcome of those who consider themselves extremely high and mighty.

 

Muslims should educate others about these events so that other people are able to learn an important lesson from these incidents. At the same time, it should be a duty of the Muslims to read and understand the lessons of the Qur’an and be able teach others so that others can save themselves from evil beliefs and evil habits. They should use these incidents to encourage people to make Istighfaar and continue to seek pardon from Allah Almighty all the time. These types of incidents also deliver a lesson to those who still insist in having pride and self-conceit.