Brief Overview of Zoroastrianism

7 Pages·0.129 MB·English

by  AbdulFattaah bin Uthmaan

Brief overview of
Zoroastrianism

Compiled by

AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1
Zoroaster Beliefs .......................................................................................................................... 1
Zoroastrian Scriptures .................................................................................................................. 1
The Zoroastrian God ................................................................................................................... 2
Zoroastrian History ...................................................................................................................... 2
Zoroastrian Symbols .................................................................................................................... 2
Angels in Zoroastrianism ............................................................................................................. 2
Zoroastrian Places of Worship ..................................................................................................... 3
Sects in Zoroastrianism ................................................................................................................ 3
Zoroastrian Acts of Worship ........................................................................................................ 3
Modern Zoroastrian History ........................................................................................................ 3
Zoroastrian Holidays .................................................................................................................... 4
References .................................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction

Zoroastrianism is an ancient Indo-Iranian religion. Its teachings are based on believing in two main
Gods; one God who they believe is a god for goodness and light by the name Ahura Mazda (all-good)
and another god who they believe is a god for evil and darkness by the name Angra Mainyu (all-evil).
This religion was founded by an individual known as Zoroaster (Zaradhista) who saw life as a struggle
between the forces of light and goodness and those of darkness and evil.

Zoroastrian practice is based on the responsibility of every man and woman to choose between good
and evil, and to respect god’s creations.

A Side Note: Most of the adherents to this religion reside in Iran, India, and Iraq.

Zoroaster Beliefs

Zoroastrianism has generally adopted some of the beliefs of Hinduism and other ancient religions of
the past.

Some of the main tenets of Zoroastrianism include:

• To believe Ahura Mazda created the world.
• To glorify the fire since they believe it symbolizes Ahura Mazda.
• To believe in the existence of a number of divinities who represent Ahura Mazda's good
qualities and who assist him in containing the evil in the material world.
• To believe that the enemy of Ahura Mazda is the evil spirit Angra Mainyu [Ahriman]. It is
believed that one day the forces of good will defeat the forces of evil and restore the world to
the state of perfection it was originally.
• To believe that the purpose of human life was to choose to follow the guidance of Ahura
Mazda and reject the temptations and traps of Angra Mainyu.
• To believe Ahura Mazda is perfect, abides in heaven and that Angra Mainyu dwells in the
depths of hell. When a person dies, they will go to heaven or hell depending on their deeds
during their lifetime.
• To believe Zoroaster was the Prophet of Ahura Mazda.
• To believe water and fire are sources of ritual purity.
• To believe humans are sent to be God's assistants to restore harmony in a world broken by
evil.
• To believe that God created both the visible and invisible worlds from Himself using His body
and His own light. Therefore, His creation is allegedly very sacred and divine.

A Side Note: Zoroastrians are generally referred to as the Majus [Magians] and the fire worshippers.

Zoroastrian Scriptures

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The Avesta is the sacred scripture found in Zoroastrianism. It is composed in an ancient old language
found in Iran called Avestan.

The Avesta is made up of five parts which consist of the stories, lessons, and practices that
Zoroastrians must live by. The Avesta is often read at Fire Temple meetings.

A Side Note: There are other sacred scriptures found in Zoroastrianism. However, they are not
recognized by all Zoroastrians.

The Zoroastrian God

Zoroastrians generally believe that Ahura Mazda is the Supreme God. It is said that Ahura Mazda has
over one hundred names.

Zoroastrians believe that everything Ahura Mazda created is pure and should be treated with love and
respect. This includes the natural environment, so Zoroastrians traditionally do not pollute the rivers,
land or air.

A Side Note: Considering the fact that Zoroastrians have based their religion from hindu teachings
and ancient Persian beliefs, many zoroastrians believe in the existence of multiple gods and some even
believe in the concept of reincarnation.

Zoroastrian History

Zoroastrianism was one of the largest religions in the world and now it is one of the smallest religions
found today.

Zorastrianism was the state religion of various Persian empires until the Muslim conquest.

Zoroastrian Symbols

Just like any other religion, Zoroastrianism has a number of religious symbols. However, the most
well-known symbol of Zoroastrianism is the symbol of fire.

Also, another common symbol is the Faravahar; an image of a bearded man with one hand reaching
forward. It is extracted from ancient Persian customs.

Angels in Zoroastrianism

Yazatas (also referred to as Amesha Spentas) are a group of angels according to the Zoroastrian belief.
It is believed that were created by Ahura Mazda to keep watch over his dominion from demons.
Zoroastrians pray to the Yazatas similar to how the Catholics pray to their saints.

The six Yazatas are:

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• Vohu Manah (Good Mind). It is in charge over cattle.
• Asha Vahishta (Truth and Righteousness). It is in charge over fire.
• Spenta Ameraiti (Holy Devotion). It is in charge over plant.
• Khashathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion). It is in charge over metal.
• Hauravatat (Perfection and Health). It is in charge over water.
• Ameretat (Immortality). It is in charge over the Earth.

A Side Note: Six of the modern Persian Zoroastrian calendars that are used in Iran are named based
on the Yazatas.

Zoroastrian Places of Worship

Zoroastrian places of worship are sometimes called fire temples. Each fire temple contains an altar
with an eternal flame that burns continuously and is never extinguished.

Sects in Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrian have divided into a number of sects, especially in the past when there were so many of
them. Some of the main sects of Zoroastrianism today are:

• Indian Zoroastrians
• Iranian Zoroastrians
• Parsis [Persian] Zoroastrians

A Side Note: The main essential sects in Zoroastrianism can be divided in two schools of thought:
reformists and traditionalists. Some of the other sects only differ with each other with regards to which
calendar they follow.

Zoroastrian Acts of Worship

Practicing Zoroastrians pray five times a day by reading religious hymns or verses from their sacred
scripture before a fire since they believe it represents the divine light of God.

Zoroastrians commence sky burials for their dead in which they build circular, flat-topped towers
called Dakhmas. When a person dies among them, they place the corpse in a bag after being cut into
pieces and fed it to vultures or else they leave the body in the midst of the sun under a rock.

Modern Zoroastrian History

Most Zoroastrians today live in India. The first Zoroastrian to move to India was in the 10th century.

In recent times, study show that there is a huge decline in the Zoroastrian population and that there
is fear that possibly they will face extinction years down the line.

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Zoroastrian Holidays

Zoroastrians observe numerous sacred days, holidays, and festivals. Some of the most well-known
include:

• Khordad Sal. It is the celebration of the birth of Zoroaster, the founder of the Zoroastrian
religion.
• Nouruz. It is New Year day according to the Zoroastrian calendar.
• Thanksgiving. It is performed occasionally outside a fire temple.
• Mihragan. Translated as “The Feast of Mithra”, it is one of the most popular festivals found
in ancient Zoroastrian practices.

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References

• The book “Mawsu'atul Adyaan” by the author Maani'e bin Hamaad al-Juhani
• The. Book “Al-Fisal” by Ibn Hazm rahimahullah
• Modern day research, articles, and reports found online
• “Compilations on Zoroastrianism” by Mamdooh al-Harbi

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