The Iranian religions, also known as the Persian religions, are, in the context of
comparative religion, a grouping of religious movements that originated in the
Iranian plateau, which accounts for the bulk of what is called "
Greater Iran" in
West Asia.
Background
The beliefs, activities, and cultural events of the ancient
Iranians in
ancient Iran are complex matters. The ancient Iranians made references to a combination of several
Aryans and non-Aryan tribes. The documented history of Iranian religions begins with
Zoroastrianism. The ancient Iranian prophet,
Zoroaster, reformed the early beliefs of ancient Iranians, the reconstructed
Ancient Iranian religion, into a form of
henotheism/
monotheism.[1] The
Gathas, hymns of Zoroaster's
Avesta, introduced monotheistic ideas to
Persia, while through the
Yashts and
Yasna, mentions are made to
polytheism and earlier creeds. The
Vedas and the Avesta have both served researchers as important resources in discovering early
Proto-Indo-Iranian religion[2] beliefs and ideas,[3] the various beliefs and practices from which the later
indigenous religion of the Iranian and
Indo-Aryan peoples evolved.
Scythian religion: The religion of the
Scythians and precursor to modern
Uatsdin. Some researchers further speculate that
Daevas may partly be based on Scythian gods, hence further influences across Iranian religions as a whole.[4]
Zoroastrianism: The present-day umbrella term for the indigenous native beliefs and practices of the Iranian peoples. While present-day Zoroastrianism is monolithic, a continuation of the
elite form of the
Sasanian Empire, in antiquity it had several variants or denominations, differing slightly by location, ethnic affiliation and historical period. It once had large population and high diversity.
Zurvanism: By the late
Achaemenid Empire, Zoroastrianism was also evident as Zurvanism (Zurvanite Zoroastrianism), a
monistdualism that had a following as late as the Sasanian Empire.
Mithraism: A mystery religion centred around the proto-Zoroastrian Persian god Mithras that was widely practised in the Roman Empire from about the 1st to the 4th century CE
Manichaeism: A 3rd century
ditheistic religion that may have been influenced by
Mandaeism. Manichaeans believe in a "Father of Greatness" (Aramaic: Abbā dəRabbūṯā, Persian: pīd ī wuzurgīh) and observe Him to be the highest deity (of light).
The early Islamic period saw the development of
Persian mysticism, a traditional interpretation of existence, life and love with Perso-Islamic
Sufi monotheism as its practical aspect. This development believed in a direct perception of spiritual truth (God), through mystic practices based on divine love.
Khurramites, a 9th-century religious and political movement based on the 8th century teachings of
Sunpadh, who preached a syncretism of Shia Islam and Zoroastrianism. Under
Babak Khorramdin, the movement sought the redistribution of private wealth and the abolition of Islam.
Behafaridians, an 8th-century cult movement around the prophet
Behafarid. Although the movement is considered to have its roots in Zoroastrianism, Behafarid and his followers were executed on charges (made by Zoroastrians) of harm to both Zoroastrianism and Islam.
Yarsanism, a religion which is believed to have been founded in the late 14th century. The basis of faith is belief in one God, who manifests in 1 primary form and 6 secondary ones, and together they are the Holy Seven.
Druze faith: an esoteric, monotheistic ethnic religion whose tenets include reincarnation and the eternity of the soul. It was founded by the Persian
Hamza ibn Ali ibn Ahmad, an Ismaili mystic from Khorasan, and another important early preacher and 'prophet' of the religion was the Persian
ad-Darazi, after whom the religion has taken its name.