What are the opinions of Muslim scholars regarding the Zoroastrian religion and its followers, and is it permissible for Muslims to praise it, be attached to it, or follow it? When did it emerge, and is its prophet a messenger?

Zoroastrianism is a religion attributed to Zoroaster, who was born approximately 660 years before Christ. His cousin and then the King of Persia believed in him.

Zoroastrianism is based on the existence of two gods: a god of goodness (Ahura Mazda) and another of evil (Ahriman). They have a holy book called the "Avesta," which has been lost. They venerate fire, considering it to symbolize the god of goodness.

The falsehood and invalidity of this religion are evident, and it is not among the celestial religions. Zoroaster was not a messenger. It is similar to Buddhism and Hinduism.

Islam equated Zoroastrians with polytheists in terms of dealings; it did not permit marriage to their women or consumption of their slaughtered animals, unlike Christianity and Judaism. It is not permissible for a Muslim to praise it or become attached to it, because "whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and he will be among the losers [in the Hereafter]."