Compare Islam and Zoroastrianism

March 17, 2004 · updated February 15, 2022

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), Zoroastrianism 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 between Islam and Zoroastrianism, the following chart compares the statistics, origins, history and religious beliefs of these two faiths.

IslamZoroastrianism
adherents (world) 1.6 billion 200,000
adherents called Muslims Zoroastrians, Parsis, Parsees
main locations Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia India, Iran
texts Qur'an (sacred text); Hadith (tradition) Zend Avesta
date founded 622 CE estimated between 12th and 6th century BCE
place founded Arabian Peninsula Ancient Persia
founders Muhammad Zoroaster
god(s) One God (Allah in Arabic); the same God revealed (imperfectly) in the Jewish and Christian Bibles One God, Ahura Mazda, but a dualistic worldview in which an evil spirit, Angra Mainyu, is almost as powerful.
spiritual beings angels, demons, jinn angels and demons
revered humans prophets; imams (especially in Shia Islam)
IslamZoroastrianism
salvation correct belief, good deeds, Five Pillars good works
predestination affirmed denied; God allows free choice
afterlife eternal Paradise or eternal Hell Judgment followed by heaven or hell. Hell is temporary until final purgation and return to Ahura Mazda.