University of Isfahan Comparative Theology 2008-9651 17 3 2026 09 23 A Comparative Study of Apostasy in Zoroastrianism and Islam Based on Pahlavi Literature of the Sassanid Period and the Early Islamic Centuries A Comparative Study of Apostasy in Zoroastrianism and Islam Based on Pahlavi Literature of the Sassanid Period and the Early Islamic Centuries 77 96 30116 10.22108/coth.2025.145737.1999 FA Hosein Basir Tariqat Talab PhD. Student in Archaeology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran Reza Bashi Fomani M.A. Graduate in Criminal Law, Islamic Azad University, Anzali Branch, Anzali, Iran Behrouz Afkhami Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran Habib Shahbazi Shiran Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran Journal Article 2025 07 14 Apostasy has been a controversial issue in many religions, particularly among monotheistic faiths. This study investigates the historical and jurisprudential aspects of apostasy in Zoroastrianism and Islam, drawing upon Pahlavi sources from the Sassanian era and early Islamic centuries, as well as classical Islamic jurisprudence. Texts such as Mādiyān-e Hezār Dādestān, Vendidad, Pahlavi narratives, and early Islamic legal writings discuss the causes of apostasy, worldly and otherworldly punishments, property rights, guardianship, marital bonds, and conditions for repentance. The study highlights similarities, such as the ultimate punishment of death and ritual impurity, and divergences, including grace periods for returning to the faith, property distribution, and treatment of female apostates. Using a descriptive-analytical methodology and library-based resources, the study first examines apostasy in Zoroastrianism, then in Islam, and finally provides a comparative perspective on these traditions. The analysis demonstrates both the continuity and divergence in legal and religious thought concerning apostasy across time and cultures. Keywords: Apostasy in Zoroastrianism, Zoroastrian Jurisprudence and Law, Apostasy in Islam, Apostasy, Sassanian Era. Introduction Apostasy, or the renunciation of one’s faith, has historically been regarded as a serious transgression in many religious traditions. In ancient Iran, Zoroastrianism provided structured legal and religious frameworks to address apostasy, particularly during the Sassanian period, when Zoroastrian priests (mobeds) were often involved in judicial processes. Early Pahlavi texts like Mādiyān-e Hezār Dādestān and later Zoroastrian narratives illustrate the legal and ritual dimensions of apostasy, including worldly punishment, purification rites, property confiscation, and marital consequences. These texts reflect a response to both internal religious challenges and external pressures following the Islamic conquest of Persia, demonstrating an effort to codify and preserve Zoroastrian traditions. In parallel, Islamic jurisprudence addresses apostasy extensively, emphasizing both spiritual and societal dimensions. The Qur’an and classical jurists outline punishment, procedural safeguards, property implications, and gender-specific regulations for apostates. By comparing these frameworks, the study aims to explore points of convergence and divergence between Zoroastrian and Islamic approaches, assessing how cultural, religious, and legal contexts shaped their treatment of apostasy. This research contributes to understanding the historical development of religious law and its ethical, social, and legal implications. Materials and Methods This study employs a descriptive-analytical approach, relying on library and archival resources. Primary sources include Sassanian-era Zoroastrian legal texts (Mādiyān-e Hezār Dādestān, Vendidad), Pahlavi narratives, and early Islamic jurisprudential writings. Relevant secondary literature and scholarly analyses were also consulted to contextualize the findings. Information was systematically collected, categorized, and compared, focusing on legal rulings, social implications, and doctrinal interpretations of apostasy in both religions. The methodology ensures that comparative insights are grounded in historical evidence and scholarly interpretation. Research Findings A comparative examination of apostasy in Zoroastrianism and Islam reveals significant similarities and differences in legal and ritual treatments. In both traditions, apostasy is punishable by death, yet the grace period for repentance differs: one year in Zoroastrianism and three days in Islamic jurisprudence. Apostates are considered ritually impure in both religions, although Zoroastrian texts hold that the corpse of the apostate is not impure, contrasting with Islamic concepts of spiritual impurity. Property confiscation also varies, with Zoroastrian law assigning seized assets to the first Zoroastrian claimant, while Islamic law distributes property to heirs or the public treasury depending on sect and timing. Regarding women, Zoroastrian law treats male and female apostates equally, whereas Islamic law provides nuanced procedures for female apostates, including imprisonment and opportunities for repentance. Apostasy dissolves marital bonds in both religions, although the specifics of guardianship and family law differ. Finally, maturity is a common condition for apostasy, but age thresholds vary between traditions and among Islamic legal schools. These findings highlight both the shared ethical concerns and culturally distinct legal solutions surrounding apostasy in Zoroastrian and Islamic contexts. Discussion of Results and Conclusions This study demonstrates that while Zoroastrianism and Islam share common principles regarding apostasy—such as punishment, impurity, and marital consequences—differences arise from historical, cultural, and theological contexts. The Sassanian-era Zoroastrian texts reflect a legal system deeply intertwined with religious authority and social control, emphasizing ritual observance and preservation of faith. In contrast, Islamic jurisprudence combines divine guidance with codified legal mechanisms, providing varying interpretations across sects and schools. The comparative analysis underscores how both traditions sought to protect community cohesion, religious identity, and moral order. Zoroastrian texts illustrate adaptation to post-conquest realities, reinforcing internal religious norms, while Islamic jurisprudence demonstrates flexibility within a broader legal-theological framework. By examining apostasy in these two traditions, the study provides insights into the evolution of religious law, highlighting continuity and divergence in ethical, social, and legal approaches. Ultimately, the research contributes to a nuanced understanding of apostasy as a complex intersection of faith, law, and society across historical periods. Apostasy has been a controversial issue in many religions, particularly among monotheistic faiths. This study investigates the historical and jurisprudential aspects of apostasy in Zoroastrianism and Islam, drawing upon Pahlavi sources from the Sassanian era and early Islamic centuries, as well as classical Islamic jurisprudence. Texts such as Mādiyān-e Hezār Dādestān, Vendidad, Pahlavi narratives, and early Islamic legal writings discuss the causes of apostasy, worldly and otherworldly punishments, property rights, guardianship, marital bonds, and conditions for repentance. The study highlights similarities, such as the ultimate punishment of death and ritual impurity, and divergences, including grace periods for returning to the faith, property distribution, and treatment of female apostates. Using a descriptive-analytical methodology and library-based resources, the study first examines apostasy in Zoroastrianism, then in Islam, and finally provides a comparative perspective on these traditions. The analysis demonstrates both the continuity and divergence in legal and religious thought concerning apostasy across time and cultures. Keywords: Apostasy in Zoroastrianism, Zoroastrian Jurisprudence and Law, Apostasy in Islam, Apostasy, Sassanian Era. Introduction Apostasy, or the renunciation of one’s faith, has historically been regarded as a serious transgression in many religious traditions. In ancient Iran, Zoroastrianism provided structured legal and religious frameworks to address apostasy, particularly during the Sassanian period, when Zoroastrian priests (mobeds) were often involved in judicial processes. Early Pahlavi texts like Mādiyān-e Hezār Dādestān and later Zoroastrian narratives illustrate the legal and ritual dimensions of apostasy, including worldly punishment, purification rites, property confiscation, and marital consequences. These texts reflect a response to both internal religious challenges and external pressures following the Islamic conquest of Persia, demonstrating an effort to codify and preserve Zoroastrian traditions. In parallel, Islamic jurisprudence addresses apostasy extensively, emphasizing both spiritual and societal dimensions. The Qur’an and classical jurists outline punishment, procedural safeguards, property implications, and gender-specific regulations for apostates. By comparing these frameworks, the study aims to explore points of convergence and divergence between Zoroastrian and Islamic approaches, assessing how cultural, religious, and legal contexts shaped their treatment of apostasy. This research contributes to understanding the historical development of religious law and its ethical, social, and legal implications. Materials and Methods This study employs a descriptive-analytical approach, relying on library and archival resources. Primary sources include Sassanian-era Zoroastrian legal texts (Mādiyān-e Hezār Dādestān, Vendidad), Pahlavi narratives, and early Islamic jurisprudential writings. Relevant secondary literature and scholarly analyses were also consulted to contextualize the findings. Information was systematically collected, categorized, and compared, focusing on legal rulings, social implications, and doctrinal interpretations of apostasy in both religions. The methodology ensures that comparative insights are grounded in historical evidence and scholarly interpretation. Research Findings A comparative examination of apostasy in Zoroastrianism and Islam reveals significant similarities and differences in legal and ritual treatments. In both traditions, apostasy is punishable by death, yet the grace period for repentance differs: one year in Zoroastrianism and three days in Islamic jurisprudence. Apostates are considered ritually impure in both religions, although Zoroastrian texts hold that the corpse of the apostate is not impure, contrasting with Islamic concepts of spiritual impurity. Property confiscation also varies, with Zoroastrian law assigning seized assets to the first Zoroastrian claimant, while Islamic law distributes property to heirs or the public treasury depending on sect and timing. Regarding women, Zoroastrian law treats male and female apostates equally, whereas Islamic law provides nuanced procedures for female apostates, including imprisonment and opportunities for repentance. Apostasy dissolves marital bonds in both religions, although the specifics of guardianship and family law differ. Finally, maturity is a common condition for apostasy, but age thresholds vary between traditions and among Islamic legal schools. These findings highlight both the shared ethical concerns and culturally distinct legal solutions surrounding apostasy in Zoroastrian and Islamic contexts. Discussion of Results and Conclusions This study demonstrates that while Zoroastrianism and Islam share common principles regarding apostasy—such as punishment, impurity, and marital consequences—differences arise from historical, cultural, and theological contexts. The Sassanian-era Zoroastrian texts reflect a legal system deeply intertwined with religious authority and social control, emphasizing ritual observance and preservation of faith. In contrast, Islamic jurisprudence combines divine guidance with codified legal mechanisms, providing varying interpretations across sects and schools. The comparative analysis underscores how both traditions sought to protect community cohesion, religious identity, and moral order. Zoroastrian texts illustrate adaptation to post-conquest realities, reinforcing internal religious norms, while Islamic jurisprudence demonstrates flexibility within a broader legal-theological framework. By examining apostasy in these two traditions, the study provides insights into the evolution of religious law, highlighting continuity and divergence in ethical, social, and legal approaches. Ultimately, the research contributes to a nuanced understanding of apostasy as a complex intersection of faith, law, and society across historical periods.

https://coth.ui.ac.ir/article_30116_fec021727c50501b4f8381d56783ac5d.pdf