Author: Dr. Fazl Ahmad Ahmadi
An Overview of Zoroastrian Religion (The 7th and Final Part)
Exploring the Beliefs and History of Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrian Religion After the Rise of Islam
Zoroaster, known as the Iranian prophet, was the founder of Zoroastrianism, a religion whose followers primarily resided in the region of modern-day Iran, which historically encompassed a broader area. With the rise of Islam, Islamic teachings regarded Zoroastrians, or Magians, as infidels. Consequently, Zoroastrians were required to either convert to Islam or pay the jizya tax. Historical accounts describe the Sassanian kings, often referred to as the “Kasra,” as significant opponents of Islam. For example, Khosrow II, known as “Parviz,” who ruled during the rise of Islam, famously tore up a letter from the Prophet Muhammad.
During the first century of Islam, numerous intense battles occurred between Muslims and the rulers of the Persian Empire. Ultimately, the Muslims triumphed, and Persia was conquered. Following this conquest, the majority of the population converted to Islam, with only a small number of remaining adherents of Zoroastrianism. Of those who retained their Zoroastrian faith, a very small group (about ten thousand) stayed in Iran. The rest migrated to India, a land known for its religious diversity, where they became known as the Persian community and settled as a respected religious group.
The Zoroastrians living in India, in accordance with religious teachings, served the human race and civilized society in such a way that for 1400 years ago, the Persians or Zoroastrians living in India have gained a high position among the people of India through the same good deeds and virtues. “Mahatma Gandhi” in his autobiography has given a detailed description of the characteristics of the Persians and praised and thanked them for their help in achieving independence and freedom of India, but the Zoroastrians living in Iran, both in the past and now, for their countrymen. And other Iranians have been charitable people; As they have established charitable institutions and higher education institutions in big cities like Tehran, Yazd and Kerman since ancient times (Saeed, Beta: 157). Also, after the emergence and rule of Muslims in the land of Persia, Zoroastrians, as residents of Islamic lands, never engaged in destructive actions against Islam and Muslims, and they have always been useful and non-harmful subjects for these Islamic lands. Currently, in Iran, in addition to several active fire temples where the fire is always lit and does not go out, there are several ancient and historical monuments related to Zoroastrianism, which are visited by tourists every day.
Conclusion
At the end of the discussion and review of Zoroastrian religion, as one of the religions that has had many followers and still has followers, as a conclusion, we can point out some basic points about this religion:
First of all, the nature of Zoroastrian religion is not yet established and clear by researchers, some consider this religion as a heavenly religion and consider Zoroastrian as God’s messenger to reform the society and people of the whole world; While according to some others, Zoroaster is identified only as a reformer and a person who invites, and even another group considers Zoroaster to be one of the followers of a prophet named “Jeremiah” who started calling after his separation or death. Is. But in any case, whether Zoroastrian was a real prophet or just a reformed and inviting person, he had many followers in his time, several verses of the Holy Quran also refer to Zoroastrians/Magi and a large number of people follow this religion even today.
Second, this religion, like other celestial religions, has holy books that its followers order their lives by referring to them. The books “Gahan” and “Avesta” are the most important works of Zoroastrianism, which are still available and are used in various fields.
Finally, with the advent of Islam, Zoroastrian religion was affected like other heavenly and human religions, and a large number of followers of Zoroastrianism converted to Islam, and the land of Zoroastrians was one of the lands conquered by Muslims with the power of Jihad. But still a large number of Zoroastrians live in Islamic lands as citizens of Islamic countries.
Sources and references
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Mahmoudi, Mohsen
