How did Zoroastrianism reach pre-Islamic Arabia, and how widespread was it? How was it viewed by people there?

by brightstars8
NomadicCircle

Zoroastrianism did not reach pre-Islamic Arabia but certainly there were some Persian traders or exiles who would have followed the teachings of Zoroaster. You have to remember that Zoroastrianism is not a religion which propagates the faith. Certainly the Sasanians did not do so like the Eastern Church of the Byzantines.

It is a religion with a strict social hierarchy with their own rules, including marriage amongst priests, that Arabian society at that time would have found an anathema at that time. I refer to the marriages among siblings among the high priests in a similar vein to that of the ancient Egyptian dynasties.

Pre-Islamic Arabia had their own forms of polytheism derived from their own traditions and sometimes others but I've never read anything that signified that Zoroastrianism was a presence there aside from the occasional exile or trader. If you found something that states it is not the case, I'd love to read about it.

Sources:

  • Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices by Mary Boyce
  • Textual Sources for the Study of Zoroastrianism by Mary Boyce
  • Zoroastrianism Ancient & Modern by Ervad Phiroze S. Masani
  • The Dawn and Twilight of Zoroastrianism by R.C. Zaehner