Zoroastrianism [in Arabia]

Pre-Islamic religion of Iran (Persia) and official religion of the Sasanian dynasty (3rd-7th centuries C.E.), named after the prophet Zarathushtra. Its polytheistic cult is based on dualistic thinking in which the god Ahura Mazdā (or Ohrmazd) and the principle of evil, Angra Mainyu (or Ahriman), face each other in a cosmic battle.

Since Zoroastrianism was not proselytised, it never took root in Arabia. Its sporadic spread was more the result of population movements than conversions. It was introduced into Arabia essentially with the rise of the Sasanian empire in the 3rd century C.E., particularly with the presence of the Lakhmid dynasty allies of the Persians in Southern Iraq and Eastern Arabia, and with the settlements on the Persian Gulf coast (particularly in Oman), then in Yemen, without ever becoming a local cult.

The Persian garrisons and local governors who settled in Yemen from the 6th century onwards may have left a sufficient cultural imprint to allow Zoroastrian sources from this period to include this region in the mythical history of Iran. When the Sasanians exploited the mineral resources (including precious metals — see Gold, Silver) of the Arabian Peninsula, mining communities with their fire temples settled in Najd and Yemen. Some traditions mention Zoroastrians living in Bahrain and Oman, as well as conversions among the Banu Tamīm tribe.

Samra Azarnouche

References and suggested readings

• Azarnouche, S. 2019. Arabes et Iraniens avant et au début de l’islam : aperçu de quelques zones de contact et de conflit, in M.-A. Amir-Moezzi & G. Dye (eds) Coran des Historiens: 156–182. Paris: Le Cerf.
• Daryaee, T. 2015. Zoroastrianism under Islamic rule, in M. Stausberg & Y. S.-D. Vevaina (eds) The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Zoroastrianism: 103–118. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
• Potts, D.T. 2008. The Sasanian Relationship with South Arabia: Literary, Epigraphic and Oral Historical Perspectives. Studia Iranica 37: 197–213.

_{Alternate spellings: Persian, Majūs, Majûs, Majus, Zoroaster, Mazdayasna, Ahura Mazda, Zarathushtra}