Dhul e Qurneyn

[Nisar Naeem]

Some non-Muslims are saying that the mention of Dhul-e-Qarneyn in the Quran refers to Alexander the great.  Can there be any truth in it.  What is your opinion?

[Heba E. Husseyn]

No, no truth in it at all.   Completely false for sure. 

Dhul-e-Qarneyn was a pious believer.   Alexander was a pagan and died a pagan.

Here is our post on Dhul-e-Qarneyn.

[Nisar Naeem]

Thanks for the response and link.

[Zarmeena Haseeb]

Some also guess that he was a king of ancient Persia named Cyrus.  But Cyrus was also not a follower of Tawheed, right?

[Ruhi_Rose]

Cyrus was a Zoroastrian all his life.  And yes, Zoroastrians are not followers of Tawheed; they are fire worshipers.  That rumor about Dhul Qarneyn being Cyrus is just as wrong as the rumor of him being Alexander.   

[roti seller]

I have also heard talk mostly from non-Muslim quarters that zoroastrians (whom we refer to as parsis in Pakistan) are monotheists or worshipers of one God.  But as I see them, they have no notion of Allah in their lives.  Then how did this story about them being monotheists or followers of Tawheed come about?  Would like some info on this.

[Ruhi_Rose]

That talk about Zoroastrians or Parsis being monotheists is complete nonsense and false.  Insh'Allah I will certainly explain this issue after a while, as soon as possible.  I have just received our online grocery delivery so I need to put away the items in the fridge and kitchen cabinets.  Insh'Allah will return with the answer soon. 

[roti seller]

Ok, thank u, hope to hear from u InshAllah.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Salam and hi, I'm back with the answer.  Sorry for the delay.

Zoroastrianism is dualistic faith, in other words, it’s a pagan faith.  It is NOT Monotheism. 

As Monotheists or Muslims we recognize the Truth that the One Allah Almighty controls everything.  HE has NO partner nor partners, neither does HE have any challenger nor challengers.  But Zoroastrians do not accept this.  They think (throughout their history) that "God" is the source of good, and evil comes from another so-called power they have named ‘mainyu.’  Also they do not use the term Allah for God.  It is very important to know that Allah is the only term which stands for the true Monotheistic Creator.   Zoroastrians call their god ‘ahura mazda’ which translates as “wise lord.”  It’s a pagan myth devoid of truth in which they do not even consider their “wise lord” to be all-powerful because that “wise lord” is challenged by another power whom they have named mainyu.  Zoroastrians are pagans, same as Hindus and Buddhists.   This is confirmed.

While some non-Muslims may claim Zoroastrians to be "monotheists" claiming that fire to them represents light of Divine Power, that is just a method of disinformation.  They certainly light fire in their temples as something sacred and revere it.   This is confirmed paganism.  True Monotheists never revere  earthly objects as representations of  Allah Almighty.   True Monotheists worship Allah Almighty, The Unseen, directly.

I hope, InshAllah, I have made the matter clear to everyone. 

[roti seller]

JazekAllah khairan and thanks for this very clear and to the point content.  In Pakistan where parsis (zoroastrians) are a minority always attune and adjust themselves better with hindus and christians who are also minorities.  They never fit in with Muslims. 

I wonder why non-Muslims are eager in presenting these parsis (zoroastrians) as monotheists.  What is their interest in it?

[Heba E. Husseyn]

......

I wonder why non-Muslims are eager in presenting these parsis (zoroastrians) as monotheists.  What is their interest in it?

Anyone who claims Zoroastrians to be Monotheists do not know the definition of Monotheism.  That includes the Christians and Jews as well because at present they have altered their faith so much that it no longer conforms with Monotheism (or Tawheed).  For instance, majority of Christians believe in trinity yet vehemently claim to be Monotheists.   That’s because they have no idea what Monotheism truly means.  Therefore it won’t be surprising if such people also accept Zoroastrians as Monotheists.  For that reason various non-Muslim sources peddle Zoroastrianism to be Monotheism.  Totally wrong, yet they have never understood how wrong they are because they do not know the right definition of Monotheism either. 

[roti seller]

yes, right point.  well said.

[Aicha]

why are these fire worshipers called parsis?

[Ruhi_Rose]

why are these fire worshipers called parsis?

It comes from the word Pars which is the ancient name of the south-western province of Iran.  Currently it is called Fars.  This province in ancient times was the seat of the pagan Zoroastrian faith.  Therefore, outside Iran, Zoroastrians were often referred from the old name of that province.  From Pars to Parsi, and Parsis is the plural of that community.

More info on Fars (Pars) here.

[Aicha]

o, i see