“Khorram Religion” in Ferdowsi’s words, and its connection with Poet’s Ismaili religion

There are many argument about “Khorram’s religion” in a mesra from the prologue of the tale of Siavsh in Shahnameh.  The writer of this article presents his own interpretation of this subject.  Since Ferdowsi had been a member of Ismailits and long before becoming moslem, the majority of this group were members of Khorram-dinan who aspired for an independence of Iran from the Arabs dominance it seems that Ferdowsi in that mesra shows his devotion to the political and cultural movements of this group and regards himself as a follower of their path, hence sharing their patriotic feelings for Iran he had composed Shahnameh so that this tall tree could disperse its fruits to all Iranians.  Moreover in the prologue of the tale of Siavash, Ferdowsi speaks of a mobad or a priest who invites all to speak softly, to behave well, to be graceful, to act according to wisdom, and draws attention to God given gifts and the other world.  In view of a text remained from a Ismaili person who was earlier an adherent of Khorram religion and the correspondence of that text with the priest’s words in Ferdowsi’s poem, it is assumed that this priest must have had inclination towards this sect.  The existence of certain Manavi thoughts in the priest’s speech which is also indicative of his connection with the Khorramdini beliefs, since the root of Khorramdini beliefs lies in Mazdai sect who in turn are closely related to Manavi’s religious belief.  Therefore it is concluded that devotion to Khorram religion in Ferdowsi’s words probably confirms certain religious beliefs of Khorramdinan, those compatible with the Ismaili beliefs and in particular shows that he favors and adopt their political and cultural deeds. .