A Re-examination of the Theory of Qur'an Adaptation from Zoroastrian Teachings with Emphasis on William Tisdall's Point of View

In recent centuries, orientalists and non-Muslim researchers have considered "sources of the Qur'an" in an academic manner. The existing history of this issue dates back to the 19th century and since then a wide range of views have been propos ed. The authors of this issue have raised doubts about the sources of the Qur'an, and with various hypotheses and doubts; they believe that the Holy Prophet adapted a significant part of the Qur'an from various sources, such as the Torah, the Bible, the Sabean religion, Zoroastrian teachings, and the culture, customs and poems of the Jahiliyyah (age of ignorance) society. One of the orientalists named William Tisdall, insisting on the similarities between the Holy Qur'an and Zoroastrian teachings, has chosen the theory of adapting the Qur'an from Zoroastrian teachings. The current study, via a descriptive-analytical method and a critical approach, criticizes and examines the theory of the adaptation of the Qur'an from Zoroastrian teachings. The findings of the study suggest that in the writings of some Orientalists, enmity with Islam and not paying attention to the principles of research in the Qur'anic approach can be seen; therefore, it can be said that the real purpose of all orientalists from such researches is not to know Islam and the Qur'an.