ZOROASTRIANS-PARSIS-MAGIANS
(I) INTRODUCTIONS Zoroastrianism is an ancient Aryan religion that originated in Persia more than 2500 years ago. Though it has relatively few adherents, less than one hundred and thirty thousand in the whole world, it is one of the oldest religions. Zoroaster was the founder of Zoroastrianism, also commonly known as Parsi-ism. It is also known as the religion of fire worshippers and Magianism. Pars Scriptures consist of 'Dasatir' and Vesta' or 'Zend-Avesta'. Dasatir is further divided into two parts: 'Khurda Dasatir' and 'kalan Dasatir'. Avesta is further divided into 'Khurda Avesta' and 'kalan Avesta' also known as 'Zend' or 'Maha-Zend'. The religious scriptures of the Parsis are found in two languages: Pahlawi (Pahlawi script resembles the present Persian script) and Zendi. Besides these two scripts, some religious literature is found in cuneiform writing. ZEND AVESTA IS DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS 1) The first part contains Vendid 2) The second part contains Sirozahs, Yashts and Nyays. 3)The third part contains Gathas, Yasha, Visparad, Afrinagan Gahs and miscellaneous. DASATIR: (II) CONCEPT OF GOD IN ZOROASTRIANISM: God in Zoroastrianism is known as 'Ahura Mazda'. 'Ahura' means 'The Lord' or 'The Master' and 'Mazda' means 'the Wise'; hence 'Ahura Mazda' means 'the Wise Lord' or 'the Wise God'. Ahura Mazda stands for God, in a strictly monotheistic sense. (III) Qualities of God according to Avesta
Thus, in Zoroastrianism too, we find a concept of an eternal, omnipotent God. Several verses of Yasna praise the Lord as a Bountiful Creator. (IV) MUHAMMAD (PBUH) IN THE PARSI SCRIPTURES "We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures." [AI-Qur'ân 21:1 07] 2. Sanctity of Prophet's Companions: In Zend Avesta Zamyad Yasht chapter 16 verse 95, Sacred Books of the East, Volume 23 Zend Avesta Part II pg. 308: 3. This Prophecy relates to no other person but to Muhammad (PBUH). 4. Muhammad (pbuh) will be the Last Prophet: "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things."
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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