Ahl-e Haqq Religion and Its relation with Mithraism

The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between Ahl-e Ḥaqq religion and Mithraism. The findings of the research suggest that Ahl-e Ḥaqq has some similar teachings with Iran’s ancient religions. Considering combinational nature of beliefs of this religion, it is as though one of fundaments and intellectual and belief bases of Ahl-e Ḥaqq is Mithraism. Of similarities of these two religions, some cases are notable like: sublime status of the sun and divine glory to Mithraism and Ahl-e Ḥaqq, making brotherhood pact, sacrificing cow, the birth of Mithras and the birth of some of Ahl-e Ḥaqq sages from a virgin, importance of number seven, and secrecy. These similarities are to the extent that it can be said there is a kind of sameness in ethics, rites, customs, and religious symbols; but fundamental basics of Ahl-e Ḥaqq like view on monotheism, resurrection, justice, Imamah, and prophethood is totally different from ancient religions of Iran. In this study, it is attempted to delve into the relation between Ahl-e Ḥaqq and Mithraism by interpretative-comparative method and with reliance on Saranjām book which is of the holiest and the most important written sources of Ahl-e Ḥaqq.