Before exploring the history of the Tribe of ‘Ad and the legendary kingdom of Shaddad bin ‘Ad, it is helpful to review several modern archaeological findings that will fuel the upcoming discussion.
In 1911, miners searching for bat guano in Lovelock Cave, Nevada, discovered over 40 human skeletons, some measuring between 9 feet tall.
in 1991, an excavation at a necropolis, about 120 Gigantic skeleton remains were discovered.
In 2017, the Archaeologists discovered something extraordinary. A 5000 years old giants Graveyard was discovered at the excavation site of Jiaojia village on the East China Shandong Province.
Real question is from where these Giants came from? However, before answering this question, another important incidence needs to be mention here ...
In the era of Caliph Hazrat Ameer Muawiya (رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ ), there was a pious saint Hazrat ‘Abdullah Bin Qilabah (رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ ). Once on one of his journey, he got lost in the desert of Adan and also lost his camel. While searching for the camel in the desert, he discovered a place made of gold and jewels and was captivated by its beauty. There was no person present over there. He took some jewels from there. On returning , he went to Hazrat Ameer Muawiya (r.a) and explained what he discovered in the Desert.
After listening to the complete details, Hazrat Ameer Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ went to Hazrat Ka’b-ul-Ahbaar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ and asked: ‘Does such type of city exist in this world?’ Sayyiduna Ka’b-ul-Ahbaar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ replied: ‘Yes!’ Thereupon, he mentioned the complete story of Shaddad bin'Ad and said: ‘In your era, a Muslim will enter this city while searching for his camel. His colour will be red and eyes will be blue; he will have a short height and a mole on the eyebrows.’
Afterwards Hazrat Ameer Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ meet Hazrat ‘Abdullah Bin Qilabah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ and immediately said : ‘By Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! He is the same person.’
(‘Ajaaib-ul-Quran ma’ Gharaib-ul-Quran, pp. 222-223)
Chapter 2 - Tribe 'Ad and Shaddad
Description about Tribe of 'Ad and their King Shaddad is clearly mentioned in Quran in many verses like in Surat Al-Hud, in Al-A'raf, in Al-Muminun , in Al-Haqqah and in Al-Ahqaf . Tribe 'Ad are the first people who returned to worshipping of Idols like Lat and Uzza , after the GREAT FLOOD OF NOAH (طوفان نوح) . The most significant feature was their giant stature and their physical fitness. Quran mention this In Surah Al-A'raf verse 69 : "Remember that He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you greatly in stature".
According to the historical accounts in Tafseer Ibn Kathir, the King Ad left behind two sons, Shadeed and Shaddad. Following Shadeed’s death, Shaddad ascended to the throne. His dominion was vast, exerting authority over approximately 1,000 Tribes and stretching across the entire expanse from Iraq to the Arabian Peninsula. He had unlimited wealth, unlimited power , all clans leader use to work as his servants and he lived for over 900 years. This leads to his extreme arrogance and belief that he is Mighty God, there is no one like him and he will live forever.
As a result, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) chose to send Hazrat Hud (AS) Bible called him Eber towards Tribe 'Ad. He was the among the direct decedents of Hazrat Noah (AS). Prophet Hud (AS) called his people to worship Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) exclusively and renounce all other forms of worship. Quran verses 50 and 51 Surah Al-Hud mention : "And to 'Ad [We sent] their brother Hud. He said O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. You are not but inventors [of falsehood]".
Shaddad refuse to believe in Allah and called Hazrat Hud (AS) liar. Quran Surah Al-A'raf verse 66: "Indeed, we see you in foolishness, and indeed, we think you are of the liars."
Hazrat Hud (AS) mentioned Judgment day to him and warn him about the Day of Reckoning, where Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) would resurrect each soul and hold them accountable for their actions and beliefs here on earth. But Shaddad made fun of Hazrat Hud (AS). Quran in Surah Al-Muminum verse 33-38 mention this incidence: "Does he (Allah) promise you that when you have died and become dust and bones that you will be brought forth [once more]? How far, how far, is that which you are promised. Life is not but our worldly life – we die and live, but we will not be resurrected. He is not but a man who has invented a lie about Allah, and we will not believe him."
Shaddad after a while said what will I get in return if I believe in your Allah? In response Hazrat Hud (AS) described him Jannah (Heaven) and what will it be like. Heaven will be granted to believers. It Is a place made of gold and silver, abundant greenery, there will be four types of rivers (Surah Al-Muhammad verse 15) Pure water, Milk, Honey and Halal Wine. There will be three springs namely Salsabil, Kafur and Tasnim. Jannah will have 8 gates. Shaddah start laughing and said I can make this easily in this world. I don't need your Allah's Jannah. Keep it to yourself and leave my Palace.
According to Kamaaludin Wa Tamaamun Ne'em written by Al-Shayakk al-Saaduq, narrated that Shaddaad encounter with Hazrat Hud (AS) irritated his egoistic personality. Hence, he decided to create the replica of Jannah in the world. He appointed 100 Ministers and under each Minister were 1000 workers, who were distributed all around the world. There task was to find the most ideal beautiful place for the construction of Bagh-e-Irum (Shaddad's Paradise).
Within the Desert of Yemen, an ideal place was found and construction of Paradise begin. He specifically instructed to use only Gold and Silver Bricks with massive pillars made of Rubies (yaqoot) and Emeralds (zumarud) . The gates were made of fragrant incense wood, which were heavily studded with glowing Saffron (Zafron). The floors were adorned with Pearls (Moti). River were made of milk, wine and honey. Trees made of gold with branches hanging with musks and amber were put in plush gardens. Pretty women were accommodated there to beautify it more.
At that time Shaddad was over 900 years old. Shaddad decided that he will only set his feet within Paradise when the construction is done and finally after 300 years, it did. He was excited and anxious to enter and live in his lavish paradise before his death. Quran in Surah Al-Fajr verse 8-9 : "the people˺ of Iram — with ˹their˺ great stature unmatched in any other land" this is reference to Shaddad's high and magnificent pillars called IRAM ZATIL IMAD. With his large army , he marched towards his Paradise for opening ceremony. As he neared , he saw a deer with truck and legs of gold and silver. He chased after it and in doing so got separated from his army.
Unexpectedly, Malik-ul-Maut (Angle of Death) suddenly appeared before him and with raised voice said : "Oh Shaddad, you imagined that you will be saved from death and live forever after entering this man-made paradise of your's on earth". Shaddad on hearing this trembled and inquired who he was? "I am Malik-ul-Maut" replied the Angel of Death. Shaddad then asked "why are you obstructing me? " . Malik-ul-Maut replied in raised voice " I have come by the order of Mighty Allah to take your soul." Shaddah begged and pleaded for sometimes so that he shall be allowed to enter his paradise for once but Angle of death refused and his soul instantly departed from his body. His army heard frightening sound from the sky and ran back to their city.
Chapter 4 - Barren Windstorm upon Tribe 'Ad
Chapter 5 - Scientific Proof with Evidence
Nothing said in Quran is without scientific facts : Let's go deeper in discussion ......
There was an American Filmmaker in Los Anglos in 1981and his name was Nicolas Clapp. He was also an amateur Archeologist who was called "Modern day Indiana Johns". He read a book published in 1932 named "ARABIA FELIX" written by Bertram Thomas. Thomas wrote that once on his expedition in Adan Desert , he meet a Sufi and while talking he came to know about Uber , where there was a city of gold and it was destroyed by Allah Almighty.
Nicolas Clapp found the book narration fascinating and decided to search for shaddad's Paradise (can also called city of gold). He used references from islamic Archives, Old Maps and even took reference from Holy Quran. Since Gulf Adan was approximately 158.300 sq miles which extend from Red Sea to Arabian Sea - it was an impossible task. But then Nicolas Clapp got an idea that if he can discover ancient hidden caravan tracks then they can lead to at one point , that can be the LOST CITY OF GOLD. For this purpose, he contact NASA as Satellite can make it easy to see thought the sands of desert. In 1992, NASA released a report that in 1981 NASA’s Shuttle Imaging Radar-A (SIR-A) discovered ancient, hidden caravan tracks and they were all converge at one particular point in Al-Shisar in southern region of Oman.
In 1992, archeological expeditions were started and they located 8 feet pillars ; walls were 12 feet in height and most astonishing thing was that that entire city was sink into the depth of a massive hole. It was as if the entire city was eaten up by earth. (This is exactly like written in Quran : Surah Al-Fajr verse 6 - 9 " Did you not see how your Lord dealt with 'Ad, the people˺ of Iram — with ˹their˺ great stature and unmatched in any other land")
