From the book Good Stories for Good Children
Shadod’s heaven is also known as Bogh e Iram, a city built under Shadod’s command.
Shadod was an unjust leader, like his predecessors, Namrood and Pharaoh, he was an idol worshiper and did not believe in the one God.
Once Shadod had secured his pillars of power and gained control over the people, he began to claim that no one is greater than he.
The people told him. “the prophets say God of the skies is the greatest.”
Shadod would reply, “if the prophets are telling the truth than why didn’t God give the prophets power like me so that people would hear and listen to their words.”
People replied. “God knows what’s best for his people. If God wanted to bless his prophets he could bestow upon them powers of the unseen and kingdoms of most high.” They looked at each other and continued. “God made the earth as a testing ground so each will come to understand ones self. none of us will live forever and the blessings and conveniences of this world will not last. In the end we will all parish and on the day of judgement have to answer to God. those who were righteous receive heaven as their reward and those who sinned will received their punishment.”
Shadod said. “handing down punishment is easy, but what is this heaven like?”
The people explained. “A city filled with comfort and bliss. filled with goodness, pleasures, glorious gardens which river flows. all the blessings and fine food and beauty in all. God’s friends will live in such place.”
Shadod who was very conceded said. “that is a very good thought. I must build a heaven on earth, the kind no none has ever seen. Than I will destroy all my enemies and send them to God’s heaven and send my friends to my heaven and they will not be in need of a thing.”
Scientists and Sorcerer
Shadod gathered all the engineers, architects and masonries and told them. “I want to build a city that holds all the wonders of the world. To grow all kinds of vegetation, posses beauty, all edibles and pleasures.”
the scientist said. “that is unachievable. Some flowers bloom in particular areas and some trees don’t grow just anywhere. This world has warm spots as well as cold spots. fruit trees require special conditions to blossom.”
Shadod said. “you people don’t seem to understand, I don’t want to have a fruit orchard and do business. I want people to be aware of my greatness, I want to possess a Godly system and to accomplish that I must build a heaven.” Shadod continued. ” all the mines belong to me, all the trees, flowers and people belong to me. People own nothing and since I control everything, I want to build a heaven as a proof of my greatness. I am willing to spend all the gold and jewels needed and will not spare any worker as they are my slaves as I must have my heaven built.”
And so they had no choice but to agree. “very well” they said “if this is what you want, we must return and search for a suitable place so we can plant many of the vegetation, a place with lots of water but not salty water, a place where its not too far away with blue skies and shady fertile land, a place where its not prone to storm and earth quakes, A place where the sun is not too hot to burn vegetation and not too cold to freeze them. Building a heaven is not a small task. It requires a suitable place and once that is achieved building it will be easy. We will build a heaven that you can be proud of.”
Shadod said. “very good, but I am in a hurry. these prophets are leading the people astray and with that we will all be doomed.
The Builders said. “We should not rush this project. If heaven is built in a place prone to earth quakes, storms or floods, we will be sorry. We have to move forward with proper calculation and at the end of each section we must consult a professional prior to moving ahead.”
Shadod said. “no, this will not do. You make this task harder than it is.” Than Shadod had a thought.
“we have so may magicians, star gazers, astronomers, fortune tellers and oracles among us. Ask one of them and they will instantly provide the best location. They know everything about the past, present and future.”
The builder said. “but we know these kinds of people to be false and commit trickery. They live among us but trick people into believing something that’s not and earn their living on the backs of those who are gullible.”
Shadod insisted. “this is no concern of yours. I will call upon the leader of the oracles and within one meeting establish the location of heaven.”
And so they backed down and said. “in that case we congratulate you, you know the outcome better than anyone else.”
Shadod called upon the fortune tellers and explained his plan and said. ” the engineers said the location is very important, so you need to rush and find a suitable place.”
The leader of the fortune tellers bowed and said. “You are the God of all Gods and we worship the very ground you walk on.” The leader continued. “You have bestowed a great honor upon us and we like to advise you that this will be a difficult task.”
He took a deep breath and continued. “I need to call upon seventy farriers, eighty jins and fifty giants. There gathering place is beneath the ground and to satisfy them we need to lay down a carpet with 2 sacks of gold, 5 sacks of silver and thousand grams of diamonds. And we must promise them that for ten years no one will disturb this meeting place and the key to this place will remain with the great witch.”
Shadod quickly replied. “I accept your conditions.”
At once Shadod presented the gold, silver and diamond and the fortune tellers took it and hid it in their homes.
The next day the fortune tellers came to Shadod and presented him with a rock tablet and said. “This is the map drawn by the farriers and giants. He pointed towards the ground and continued. “From here you travel south 50 kilometers and once you have reached it stretch out your arms and from finger tip to finger tip go ten kilometers either way and within this area is the safe building zone.”
The fortune teller looked up and continued. “no harsh winds or storms, no earth quakes, no harsh warm or cold temperatures and with in the next one year there will be no danger in weather patterns. We say this because we are knowledgeable in all things.”
Shadod was impressed. “Very well done and from now on you are promoted as my closest vazeer and shall travel along side of me to far away lands.” He turned to the contractors and said. “began the construction immediately.”
The engineer, architect and masonries all looked at each other and smiled. “It shall be done.” they said.
Construction of Heaven
the plans were drawn and they called upon all the stone cutters, builders, artists, agriculturist to began the project.
And so it was, The precious stones and jewels were like small rocks and pebbles beneath their feet. Peoples became homeless as their homes were torn down to make way for heaven’s construction. the slaves were worked to the bone with lack of water and food and some would parish beneath other’s feet. Each engineer and scientist possessed at least 1000 men working for them in harsh conditions. Nothing was spared as Shadod’s heaven was under construction.
A city was constructed 10 kilometer by 10 kilometer with high towers of gold and castles with gardens and jewels. the surrounding wall was made of silver and gold and the pillars from agate stones. Water flowed beneath the city and passed by each castle and garden. All kinds of trees and flowers were planted and the ones that could not be planted a stone replica was made and decorated with fine stones. Wool Carpets covered the floor and silk cloth draped the rooms and the private gardens. People were amazed at such construction and glitter from the jewels lit up the whole city.
End of Construction
And so the day came when the completion announcement was heard. Shadod instructed the musicians to began their drum roll and announce to all that from now on Shadod possesses all Godly systems, even heaven. And Shadod will curse those who are against him and reward those with entry into his heaven.
Shadod gathered all the heads of estate and the wealthy to begin the 50 kilometer journey towards his heaven. They all rode on horseback and after several days reached the gates of heaven.
They descended their horse and as soon as Shadod descended his horse a wild storm and earth quake came and swallowed the people and the city inside the belly of the earth and they all perished.
The almighty God gives time for people to achieve all that is to achieve and in a moment of his choosing takes their lives with in a blink of an eye to show others how helpless and weak we truly are and teaches a lesson they will never forget.