Criticisms of Shikand-gumanig Vizar (the Report on the Dispelling of Doubts) against Muʿtazila Solution to the Problem of Evil and Divine Justice and the Judgment on It

The problem of evil and its solution is one of the issues which has been the special concern of man for a long time. The book “Shikand-gumanig Vizar” written by Mardan-Farrukh is one of the very rare books of Zoroastrian theology and the author believes that his chosen religion offers a logical solution to the problem of evil, and thus violating monotheism. The present article expounds the correlation referred to by Mardan-Farrukh and explores the principle of justice, which is one of the most important foundations and concerns of the Muʿtazila school. Moreover, raising the objection against Mardan-Farrukh and analyzing the components of monotheism, this article rejects the idea of the mentioned correlation, stating that according to the Muʿtazila’s solution to the problem of evil, it is in principle, absurd to attribute evil to God and the sad and tragic which have divine wisdom and common good are to the benefit of the servants of God and a real blessing for them. Mardan-Farrukh raises the question of God's justice in the discussion about man’s evil deeds and their not being attributed to God according to Muʿtazili interpretation. The Muʿtazila’s solution is given approval by this article, which, rejects Muʿtazila’s solution by providing a new solution and an appropriate answer.