Islam and Zoroastrianism
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Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity. As a monotheistic faith that originated in the Middle East, Islam holds many beliefs and practices in common with Judaism and Christianity.
One monotheistic religion that predated all these religions is Zoroastrianism. Founder by Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra), Zorastrianism arose in Persia and was the state religion of Persia until the 7th century CE when it was replaced by Islam.
As a brief guide of the similarities and differences of Islam, Judaism and Christianity, the following chart compares the statistics, origins, history and religious beliefs of these three great monotheistic faiths. Please note that, as with all charts of this kind, information is generalized and should not be used as the only basis of information.
Comparison of Statistics and Basics
Islam |
Zoroastrianism |
|
adherents called |
Muslims |
|
current adherents |
1.3 billion |
|
current size rank |
2nd largest |
|
| major concentration | Middle East, Southeast Asia |
|
| sacred text | Qur'an (Koran) |
|
| other written authority | Hadith |
|
| religious law | Sharia |
|
| clergy | imams, muezzins |
|
| house of worship | mosque |
|
| main day of worship | Friday |
|
| church and state | integrated |
Comparison of Origins and History
Islam |
Zoroastrianism |
|
date founded |
622 CE |
|
place founded |
Saudi Arabia |
|
founder |
Muhammad |
|
original language(s) |
Arabic |
|
early expansion |
within 12 years, entire Arabian peninsula; within 100 years, Muslim world stretched from the Atlantic to China |
|
| use of war in expanding religion | frequent |
|
major splits |
Shia/Sunni, c. 650 CE |
Comparison of Religious Beliefs
Islam |
Zoroastrianism |
|
| type of theism | strict monotheism |
|
ultimate reality |
one God |
|
names of God |
Allah (Arabic for God) |
|
| other spiritual beings | angels, demons, jinn |
|
| revered humans | prophets, imams (especially in Shia) |
|
| divine revelation | through Muhammad, recorded in Qur'an |
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| view of sacred text | inspired, literal word of God, inerrant in original languages |
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| human nature | equal ability to do good or evil |
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| means of salvation | correct belief, good deeds, Five Pillars |
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| God's role in salvation | predestination |
|
| good afterlife | eternal paradise |
|
| bad afterlife | eternal hell |
