Abd Ṣāliḥ, Dhū'l-Qarnayn, and Monotheistic Agency in Achaemenid Iran: A Qurʾānic Perspective

A groundbreaking analysis reveals that the Qurʾānic concept of ʿabd ṣāliḥ ('righteous servant') serves as a lens to interpret Achaemenid Iran's monotheistic agency, particularly through Cyrus II and Darius I. This study challenges conventional theological readings by positioning ʿabd ṣāliḥ at the intersection of divine authority, political power, and historical responsibility. By comparing ethical-monotheistic principles from the Gāthās with Achaemenid inscriptions—especially Darius’s Bisotun inscription—and Qurʾānic frameworks, the research uncovers structural affinities in ritual practices between pre-Islamic Zoroastrianism and Islam. It also situates the Magians within a broader monotheistic historical tradition, avoiding anachronistic or doctrinal judgments. This approach facilitates comparative dialogue between Achaemenid political ideology, Qurʾānic thought, and pre-Islamic Iranian religion, offering a novel methodological framework for understanding divinely guided agency in ancient Iran.

aghajafari, amir. (2026). Abd Ṣāliḥ, Dhū'l-Qarnayn, and Monotheistic Agency in Achaemenid Iran: A Qurʾānic Perspective. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.18403675